Arne Slot pays Diogo Jota tribute ahead of emotional Liverpool Premier League opener at Anfield
AFNEWS reporter
Aug 15, 2025
Arne Slot pays Diogo Jota tribute ahead of emotional Liverpool Premier League opener at Anfield
Arne Slot speaks exclusively to Patrick Davison about the tragic loss of Diogo Jota in a car crash in July; Liverpool host Bournemouth in this season's Premier League opener on Friday night at Anfield, live on Sky Sports, with plans in place to honour Jota's memory
READ ALSO: BREAKING: PDP's Presidential Candidate, Atiku Returns To Nigeria | WATCH VIDEO
"I wish I had the right words but I know I do not."
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
That was something Arne Slot said in his statement on the day of Diogo Jota's tragic passing.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Of course, that's true. It's too devastating, too terrible and sudden a loss for a few words from anyone to make much difference.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
But in the weeks since, he surely couldn't have done any more to lead his club through the most challenging of circumstances.
From the outside, he looks again and again to have found those right words.
READ ALSO: B00M! 'Emotional trauma': Lawyer sues Lai Mohammed, Malami over Twitter ban
Firstly, his immediate thoughts have always been with Jota's wife Rute and their three children. And the parents who lost two sons that day.
READ ALSO: Mali Crisis : ECOWAS may lift Mali sanctions today -Jonathan
They were again in Slot's interview with us.
"(Diogo was) a good husband, an incredible dad for his children," Slot emphasises to Sky Sports.
"Nothing compares to what Rute, his children and his parents are experiencing at this moment.
READ ALSO: Why Uber Driver Smile to Jail | SEE DETAILS
"The only thing I can say is the way the players have conducted themselves during this difficult time, the way our fans have shown respect for Diogo and his brother, has been incredible."
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
Slot only worked with Jota for a season, but is able to speak about him as a player and a person in a way that captures perfectly why he was so loved and admired.
READ ALSO: OH NO! How Prominent Nigerian Politician and Hotelier, Gbolahan Died
"He was always himself, players liked him because of that," Slot says.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: PDP's Presidential Candidate, Atiku Returns To Nigeria | WATCH VIDEO
"When we won the league against Tottenham, we were all together, I remember his young children were there, and one of his sons kept wanting to go to the dance floor and every time Diogo joined him - that tells you about the father he was."
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
After initially just feeling sadness and loss, Slot says he is now able to feel some happiness when he sees a Jota goal or thinks about the way he lifted Liverpool's dressing room.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
It's clear though that that getting back to the seemingly unimportant, trivial, day to day world of football has been and will continue to be incredibly tough.
READ ALSO: Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
"The first time we arrive for a session, the first time we play a game, the first time after 20 minutes they sing his song - all these things are difficult," he says.
"It's been really difficult how to act for all of us. I've tried to say to the players 'act like the person Diogo was'. He was always good with everyone.
READ ALSO: B00M! 'Emotional trauma': Lawyer sues Lai Mohammed, Malami over Twitter ban
"If you wanted to laugh you could laugh, to cry you could cry.
READ ALSO: Mali Crisis : ECOWAS may lift Mali sanctions today -Jonathan
"He accepted everyone for the person he was. So let us be ourselves and not judge each other, whatever we feel.
"When things were difficult, Diogo helped the club, and me, but even before I arrived, so many times in difficult moments.
"So, we try to get the best out of ourselves, all become a bit Diogo in this difficult time and to act like he always did."
Moments of silence planned by Premier League
A moment's silence will be observed at all top-flight matches this weekend in memory of Jota and his brother Andre Silva, the Premier League has confirmed.
READ ALSO: Why Uber Driver Smile to Jail | SEE DETAILS
The league has spoken to Liverpool about the most appropriate way to remember the Portuguese star, who was killed in a car crash alongside his brother on July 3 in Spain.
READ ALSO: Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
As well as a period of silence prior to kick-off in the matches, players of all clubs will be given black armbands while messaging and imagery will be shared with clubs for them to use on big screens.
READ ALSO: OH NO! How Prominent Nigerian Politician and Hotelier, Gbolahan Died
Tributes were paid to the brothers prior to last Sunday's Community Shield between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Wembley, with wreaths laid on the pitch and a period of silence before kick-off.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: PDP's Presidential Candidate, Atiku Returns To Nigeria | WATCH VIDEO
A minority of Eagles fans broke the silence, eliciting a strong response at the other end of the pitch, as well as from other Eagles supporters who tried to silence those not respecting the tribute, though Slot said afterwards: "I don't think this was planned, or that this was the idea of the fan that made some noise. Maybe he wasn't aware of the fact that it was the minute of silence. The fans of Crystal Palace and everywhere around the world have paid huge respect to Diogo and Andr├®."
READ ALSO: Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Liverpool have already retired the No. 20 shirt in Jota's memory.
READ ALSO: Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
The club has also said a permanent memorial sculpture will become a future focal point of remembrance at Anfield.
Related Stories
David Raya is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Arsenal team-mate Kai Havertz after Sporting heroics
Sandro Tonali will choose Manchester United if they secure Champions League football
Chelsea finances: Blues announce biggest pre-tax loss of any club in Premier League history
Who has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Who do England and Scotland play? Could Lionel Messi face Cristiano Ronaldo?
Eddie Howe Under Pressure as Newcastle Face Summer Exodus and Uncertain Future
Roberto De Zerbi: Tottenham in talks with ex-Brighton boss about taking over as head coach
""
— AFNEWS reporter