Arne Slot stated that Diogo Jota of Liverpool will always be remembered following his passing at the age of 28.

Arne Slot has expressed his profound shock following the tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash. The Liverpool manager has paid heartfelt tribute to Jota, whose passing has sent ripples of grief throughout the footballing community.

Jota, just 28 years old, lost his life in the early hours of Thursday morning alongside his brother Andre Silva, 25, a professional footballer with Portuguese second-tier club Penafiel. Slot, struggling to find the right words, shared his sentiments in a statement that resonated with many.

“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,” Slot remarked. “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.”

Slot’s thoughts extended beyond his role as a football manager, reflecting instead on the personal loss felt by the family of Diogo and Andre Silva. “My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle,” he said, acknowledging the unimaginable grief they are enduring.

Tributes have begun to pour in from fans at Anfield, with many leaving heartfelt messages in memory of Jota. “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,” Slot assured, highlighting the solidarity within the club and the wider football community.

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020 and played a pivotal role in the club’s recent successes. Under the management of Jurgen Klopp for four years, Jota was instrumental in helping Liverpool secure their 20th league title last season, a feat that Slot continued to build upon.

“For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player,” Slot stated. “He was a loved one to all of us. He was a team-mate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special.”

Slot went on to describe Jota’s qualities on and off the pitch, noting his hard work, commitment, and the joy he brought to those around him. “The essence of what a Liverpool player should be,” he added, reflecting on the impact Jota had on his teammates and fans alike.

The last conversation Slot had with Jota was filled with congratulations for his Nations League victory and well wishes for his upcoming 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,” he lamented.

Slot recalled the unique chant the Liverpool fans had for Jota, a testament to the special qualities he possessed. “That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with,” he said, calling for unity within the club during this difficult time.

“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.”

In a joint statement, Michael Edwards, CEO of Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group, and the club’s sporting director Richard Hughes, pledged to honour Jota with “meaningful statements.” They expressed their commitment to ensuring that the tributes paid to the beloved number 20 reflect the respect and affection he so richly deserves. “We will strive to make these tributes meaningful and inclusive of our supporters, to whom Diogo meant so much,” they concluded.