Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has revealed he feels “frightened” about returning to the club after the sudden death of teammate Diogo Jota in a car accident in Spain. The Premier League champions have delayed the return of some players for pre-season training as they mourn the loss.
Jota and his younger brother, Andre Silva, died early on Thursday after their car left a motorway and caught fire. Funeral arrangements are underway, with mourners gathering in Portugal ahead of the brothers’ funeral on Saturday.
Liverpool players have expressed their shock and grief. Captain Virgil van Dijk described the news as “absolutely devastating and in total disbelief” on Instagram. Manager Arne Slot said everyone at the club must unite and support one another during this difficult time.
Salah, last season’s Premier League top scorer, paid an emotional tribute on social media, saying: “Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me about going back to Liverpool after the break. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we return.”
He sent condolences to Jota’s wife, children, and parents, urging support for the families affected.
Jota had married his partner, Rute Cardoso, just days before the tragedy. The couple had three children together.
Liverpool had planned for the first group of players to resume training on Friday, but this has now been postponed until Monday. Their first pre-season fixture is against Preston on July 13. The club has opened a book of condolence and lowered flags to half-mast. Fans have left tributes outside Anfield and at Molineux Stadium, where Jota previously played.
