Mohamed Salah has admitted he feels “frightened” to return to Liverpool following the tragic death of teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva, in Spain.
The crash occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 3 July, when their vehicle veered off a motorway and caught fire. A wake was held in Portugal on Friday, with the funeral scheduled for Saturday.
Liverpool postponed the return of some players for pre-season training, originally due on 4 July, as the club and its players continue to process the shock of Jota’s passing. The team’s first pre-season friendly is set for 13 July against Preston.
Salah, who was the Premier League’s top scorer last season, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram.
“I am truly lost for words,” he wrote. “Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me about going back to Liverpool after the break. Teammates come and go, but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we return.
“My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents, who suddenly lost both their sons. Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.”
Jota had married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso on 22 June, just days before the fatal accident. He posted a video of their wedding on Instagram shortly before the crash. The couple had three children.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also paid tribute, writing on Instagram that he was “absolutely devastated and in total disbelief”.
Manager Arne Slot said the club owed it to Jota to “stand together and be there for one another”.
In tribute, Liverpool have opened a book of condolence, lowered flags at Anfield to half-mast, and fans have laid flowers, scarves and shirts outside the stadium. Similar scenes have been witnessed at Wolves’ Molineux Stadium, where Jota previously played.
The club’s delayed return to training is now expected to begin on Monday, 7 July.