Liverpool players have started returning to pre-season training ahead of the 2025-26 campaign after the death of Diogo Jota last week.
Jota was on his way to England to start preparations for the new season when he was involved in a ghastly crash alongside his brother, Andre Silva on Thursday.
The first set of players were originally scheduled to return for pre-season training last Friday but it was postponed to Tuesday following Jota’s death.
Liverpool players and staff paid their last respects to Jota, and Andre at a public wake in Portugal on Friday.
The likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and manager Arne Slot attended the burial on Saturday.
Liverpool Women players Grace Fisk, and Gemma Bonner laid a floral tribute for Jota and Andre Silva on behalf of their team outside Anfield on Tuesday.
The two players signed the book of condolence that has been opened at the stadium in honour of the brothers.
They also added a wreath, on behalf of the team, to the vast number of tributes that have been laid outside Anfield during the past days.
The likes of Mohammed Salah, Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, and Andy Robertson were pictured arriving for the start of pre-season on Tuesday.
Salah penned an emotional tribute to Jota while saying that he would be frightened to return to training without Jota.
He wrote: “I am truly lost for words. I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break. Team-mates come and go but not like this.
“It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.
“My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents, who suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother, Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.”
Liverpool will play their first pre-season match against Preston North End on Sunday as they begin preparations for the new season.
The Reds won the Premier League title last season in Arne Slot’s first year in charge after replacing Jurgen Klopp.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and made 182 appearances for the Reds, scoring 65 goals, and recording 26 assists.
He was part of the Liverpool squad that won the Premier League title last season and previously won the FA Cup and two League Cups.
