Arne Slot speaks publicly for first time on Diogo Jota's death with touching Liverpool tribute

Liverpool bossArne Slothas given a moving tribute toDiogo Jota as he insisted the club will "always carry him with us" after deciding to retire his No 20 shirt following his tragic death aged 28.

The forward died in a car crash along with his brother Andre in Portugal last week, leading to an outpouring of grief across the football world.

Liverpool were left "devastated" by his passing and said the decision to retire his shirt number was "recognition of the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them".

Slot said: "We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go. Maybe especially in difficult moments.

"But in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts. To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done."

READ MORE: Liverpool 'enter Rodrygo battle with Arsenal' but transfer hinges on one exit

READ MORE: Andy Robertson's touching Mo Salah gesture spotted during Diogo Jota tribute

The Dutchman went on to speak about the challenge of getting back to football amid the team's collective grief ahead of their friendly clash against Preston on Sunday.

"Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened," he added. "It’s very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate. Can we train again? Can we laugh again? And I’ve said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was.

"And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself, it didn’t matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself. So let us try to be ourselves as well."

When asked what his overriding memory of Jota would be, Slot said: "I’ve only worked with him for a season and in that season he has been so important for me, for the club, for the fans, for his teammates in difficult moments. So, I can come up with the Everton goal, I can come up with some other goals – Fulham when we were down to 10.

"I think what I take comfort in [is that] in the last month of his life he was a champion in everything. A champion for his family. A champion for his country because he won the Nations League. And of course a champion for us by winning the Premier League."

Slot and much of the Liverpool first team were in attendance at Jota's funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, this week to support wife Rute Cardoso and his family as captain Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson were seen carrying wreaths shaped like football shirts, with his No 20 visible in the middle.

It will be an emotional time for Liverpool players when they play their first pre-season friendly against Preston at Deepdale on Sunday afternoon and there will be a notable tribute towards Jota and Andre before kick-off.

A rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone will be played, while a wreath will be played down and a minute's silence observed. Diogo and Andre's pictures will also be displayed on the big-screen TVs.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.