Liverpool manager, Arne Slot has described the death of forward, Diogo Jota as “an unimaginable loss.”
Jota was killed in a tragic road accident in Zamora, Spain, alongside his 26-year-old brother – Andre Silva as the pair made a road trip back from Portugal to Liverpool via ferry, as the Portuguese geared up for the Reds’ return to Melwood for pre-season training.
His death sent the world into a state of shock and mourning which Slot emotionally reflected as he sent his thoughts to their families, and pledged to provide support to everyone affected by the tragedy.
“What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not.
“All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.
“My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.
“My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.”
Slot proceeded to describe the worldwide mourning as a reflection of the respect that both brothers commanded, as he iterated that Jota’s death has left the club in deep shock given his exceptional work ethic and goalscoring ability.
“This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole.
“For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special.
“I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.”
As is naturally the case with celebrities, there are hidden parts that fans don’t get to see which Slot acknowledged as he spoke of the last conversation that they shared ahead of his wedding.
“There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family.
“The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.”
Liverpool fans had their own famous chant about Jota which Slot quickly recognised as a sign of the 28-year-old’s talent and feels that time is needed to reflect on the loss of what Jota brought to the team.
“When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities.
“That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with. For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves.
“My condolences go to Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva.”
With some fans naturally considering a celebration of Jota’s life as a way of processing their sadness, Slot urged supporters to show patience.
“When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten.
“His name is Diogo.”
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