Liverpool Head Coach Arne Slot has paid a powerful and emotional tribute to Diogo Jota head of Liverpool’s new chapter following the tragic death of his former forward and his brother André Silva, in a car accident in Spain.
Jota, 28, died in the Spanish province of Zamora after the car he and his brother were travelling in caught fire, reportedly due to a burst tyre. The heartbreaking incident occurred just weeks after Jota had married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso. He was believed to be travelling back to Liverpool for the start of pre-season via ferry from Santander, after being advised not to fly due to minor lung surgery.
Ahead of Liverpool’s pre-season opener against Preston North End at Deepdale, Slot spoke about the deep emotional impact the tragedy has had on the squad, the staff, and the wider club. He also shared how he plans to guide his team through this difficult time with compassion and understanding.
“What I’ve said to the players, I can say it here as well,” Slot explained in a heartfelt interview with the club’s official website. “Maybe the best thing for us to do is to handle this situation like Diogo would have.”
Liverpool’s return to action comes just days after reassembling at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday, and Sunday’s friendly will serve not just as the start of pre-season but as a poignant tribute to a teammate, a friend, and a champion. Slot acknowledged that grief affects everyone differently and said the club is supporting individuals in whatever way they need.
“It had a huge impact on us — but nothing compared to the loss that is felt by his parents, his wife Rute, his children, and his wider family,” Slot said. “The first emotion we feel is sadness. The second is pride. I think his family can be incredibly proud of who he was — not just as a footballer, but as a person.”
That has made the start to pre-season needing careful management from Slot, who will not force his players to train or play if they feel they cannot but has accepted “we need to play again, if we want it or not.”
“What I’ve said to the players, I can say it here as well,” the Dutchman explained.
Slot, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title last season with Jota playing a key role, praised the forward’s character and consistency.
“I’ve spoken to many of his teammates, I’ve spoken to many staff members, and they all rate him so highly. They all say how nice of a person he was. That he was always himself. So they should and will be very proud if they could hear what all his teammates and all the staff members would say about him.”
Slot shared that in navigating the collective grief, he encouraged the squad to honour Diogo by embracing the same authenticity and spirit he lived by.
“Maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota would have. What I meant by that is Jota was always himself — it didn’t matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself. So let us try to be ourselves as well. If we want to laugh, we laugh. If we want to cry, we cry. If they want to train, they train. If not, they don’t. But be yourself — don’t feel you have to be different than what your emotions tell you.”
Slot also spoke to the Portuguese forward’s importance on the pitch, describing him as a player who rose to every challenge when the team needed him most.
“Jota was the player that, if things were really, really difficult, I always looked to and said, ‘Now we need something special from you.’ And he delivered so many times in those moments. Even before I arrived, he had so many of those moments as well. So we’re in a very difficult time — let’s try to do what Diogo did: when it’s hard, try a little harder. Keep going. Try to make it work.”
The Dutchman also highlighted Jota’s team-first mentality, describing him as someone who embodied the collective spirit that defines Liverpool.
“He was the player in our team where it was all about the team — and not only the players, but the staff too. If we want to go through this period, we need to do it together.”
Concluding his tribute, the 46-year-old, reflected on the powerful final chapter of Jota’s life, describing it as one filled with personal and professional triumph.
“What I take comfort in is that in the last month of his life, he was a champion in everything. A champion for his family — the most important thing — because he got married. A champion for his country, winning the Nations League, representing a country he loved deeply — he even wore the Portuguese flag during our title celebrations. And of course, a champion for us, winning the Premier League.”
Jota joined the Reds from Wolves in 2020, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club, winning the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, the latter again in 2024, before helping Liverpool secure their 20th league title last season — firmly establishing himself as both a top-class footballer and a beloved figure in the dressing room.
As the Premier League Champions take to the field at Deepdale, the match will serve not only as the start of a new season under Slot’s leadership, but also as a poignant celebration of a life and career that left an indelible mark on Anfield.
The club has announced retirement of their number 20 shirt in honour of Jota, who will be remembered not only throughout pre-season and into their title defence – but now for generations to come.
