Liverpool have postponed the scheduled return of their players to pre-season training following the death of forward Diogo Jota.
The 28-year-old Portugal international tragically passed away alongside his younger brother, André Silva, in a car accident in the early hours of Thursday. The pair were travelling to Santander to catch a ferry to the United Kingdom when the fatal incident occurred in Zamora, Spain.
Jota was expected to report back for physical assessments at the club’s AXA Training Centre on Friday. However, Liverpool have confirmed that the players originally scheduled to resume will now return on Monday as the club and squad continue to process the loss.
The mood around the club has been sombre, with an emotional outpouring from fans, teammates, and the football community. Outside Anfield, supporters laid floral tributes, scarves, shirts, and personal messages beneath the Bill Shankly statue in remembrance of the forward, who helped the club to the Premier League title last season.
The club shared on their X handle their fans’ tributes to the late player. One of the players present was former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who described the death of Jota as a huge loss to the club.
Tributes around Anfield ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Uf0YHScTOt
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 4, 2025
Jota recently married his long-time partner, Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children.
Head coach Arne Slot, who only recently began his tenure at the club, offered a heartfelt tribute to the late attacker.
“Diogo was not just our player, he was a loved one to all of us,” said Slot. “I could say so much about what he brought to our team, but the truth is, everyone who watched him play could see it.
Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals.
He was the essence of what a Liverpool player should be.”
The club continues to support Jota’s family and has requested privacy for all affected as arrangements for his funeral proceed in Portugal.
Liverpool’s first pre-season game is against Preston next Sunday, 13th July, at Deepdale.
Softfootball has reported the presence of Liverpool’s delegation at the wake of Jota and his brother Andre on Friday evening.
A Liverpool delegation, former teammates, and members of the Gondomar community gathered on Friday night to pay their respects to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, whose wake was held at the Capela da Ressurreição in the northern Portuguese town.
Leading the Reds’ contingent were newly appointed sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of Football, Michael Edwards. Also present were Liverpool’s CEO, Billy Hogan, Director of Medicine and Performance Jonathan Power, and Head of Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Lee Nobes.
