Liverpool’s Tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva

Liverpool honored Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, prior to their initial pre-season match against Preston, following the tragic passing of Jota at the age of 28 in a car accident.

Before the game commenced, players from both teams congregated at the center of the field to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Jota and Silva.

Mohamed Salah spearheaded the team during the solemn occasion. Club captain Virgil van Dijk and Jota’s close companion, Andrew Robertson, were also present in the stands for the tribute, despite van Dijk not being included in the match squad.

A sequence of homages took place before the game, featuring the minute’s silence.

Liverpool’s signature song, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone,’ was performed prior to the start, and Preston’s captain, Ben Whiteman, laid a memorial wreath before the Liverpool supporters.

Players from both teams sported black armbands, and digital tributes were shown on screens throughout the stadium.

Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, also conveyed his sentiments before the game in his inaugural interview since Jota’s demise. The Dutch coach advised his players to “be authentic” and to “not feel obligated to suppress their natural emotions.”

“We will laugh if we feel like laughing; we will cry if we feel like crying,” Slot stated.

“If they feel like training, they have the option to train; if they prefer not to, they are not required to train.”

“We will forever hold him in our hearts and thoughts, no matter where we are.”

Jota and his brother Silva tragically died in a car accident near Zamora, located in northwestern Spain, on July 3, 2025. It is understood that they were en route to the UK for Liverpool’s pre-season activities.

Reports indicate that the devastating incident transpired in the early hours of the morning when their vehicle veered off the road and caught fire.