Tributes Pour in as Players Return to Training

Liverpool Football Club has been in mourning following the tragic death of 28-year-old forward Diogo Jota and his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva in a car accident.

Diogo Jota, a talented and versatile player, was a key member of the Liverpool squad, known for his pace, skill, and clinical finishing. Born on December 4, 1993, in Porto, Portugal, Jota rose through the ranks at Porto before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2016.

His impressive performances for Wolves earned him a move to Liverpool in 2020, where he quickly established himself as a fan favorite.

The first group of players were scheduled to return from their summer break last Friday, but the plans were postponed in the wake of Jota’s death.

The forward was driving back to Liverpool for pre-season training, having been advised against flying due to minor surgery he had undergone. Jota’s car and ferry journey was cut short when the accident occurred, resulting in the tragic loss of both his life and that of his brother.

A large delegation of players and staff from Liverpool paid their respects to Jota and Andre Silva at a public wake in their native Portugal on Friday.

The funeral took place on Saturday in their hometown of Gondomar, with Reds captain Virgil van Dijk and Scotland defender Andy Robertson carrying floral tributes in honor of the two men.

Manager Arne Slot was also part of the delegation, and the team is due to play their first pre-season match against Preston North End at Deepdale on Sunday, July 13.

Tributes continue to pour in for Jota and Andre Silva, with Liverpool Women players Grace Fisk and Gemma Bonner laying a floral tribute outside Anfield on Tuesday. The wealth of tributes outside the stadium is a testament to the impact Jota had on the club and its fans.

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020, and people have also been paying their respects at the Midlands club’s Molineux stadium. Additionally, tributes have been placed outside the football academy in Gondomar, where Jota played and which bears his name.

A large picture of him wearing both the colors of the Portugal national team and the yellow of his hometown club as a child adorns a wall outside the academy, serving as a poignant reminder of his legacy.

In his time at Liverpool, Jota made 62 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 11 assists. He was a key player in the team’s success, helping the Reds win the Premier League title in 2020.

Jota’s passion, dedication, and love for the game made him a beloved figure at the club, and his loss will be deeply felt by the Liverpool community.