Liverpool stars return to pre-season training just days after Diogo Jota's tragic death

Liverpool players have reported for their first day of pre-season training at Melwood on Tuesday morning just 72 hours after attending the funeral of team-mate Diogo Jota in Portugal.

Reds stars including Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson and new signing Jeremie Frimpong were pictured driving to the first day of preparation for the upcoming campaign with the club still in mourning.

Jota, 28, and younger brother Andre Silva, 26, died in the early hours of last Thursday when a tyre of the Lamborghini they were travelling in exploded. They had been travelling across Spain to catch a ferry from Santander to Portsmouth.

Their deaths have shocked the footballing world with heartbreaking tributes paid from across the game.

Salah admitted in a heartfelt post on social media that he would find it hard to get his head around Jota not being present when the players reconvened.

READ MORE: Portugal stars pay moving tribute to Diogo Jota before Euro 2025 match vs Italy

READ MORE: Portugal star's wife forced to clear up confusion over Diogo Jota's brother's death

"I am truly lost for words," he wrote last week. "Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break. Team mates come and go but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back."

Head coach Arne Slot said the “sense of shock is absolute”, adding: “He was a loved one to all of us.”

Former manager Jurgen Klopp, who brought Jota to Anfield in 2020, wrote on Instagram : "This is a moment where I struggle. There must be a bigger purpose, but I can’t see it.

“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre. Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.

“We will miss you so much. All my prayers, thoughts and power to Rute, the kids, the family, the friends and everyone who loved them! Rest in peace – Love J.”

Andy Robertson was in attendance in Gondomar and posted his own emotional tribute. "The ones I’m thinking about most right now are the family. Their loss is too much to bear. I’m so sorry that they have lost two such precious souls – Diogo and Andre," he posted on social media.

"For the team and the Club, we’ll try to cope with this together… however long that takes. For me, I want to talk about my mate. My buddy. The bloke I loved and will miss like crazy.

"I could talk about him as a player for hours, but none of that feels like it matters right now. It’s the man. The person. He was such a good guy. The best. So genuine. Just normal and real. Full of love for the people he cared about. Full of fun.

"He was the most British foreign player I’ve ever met. We used to joke he was really Irish… I’d try to claim him as Scottish, obviously. I even called him Diogo MacJota.

"We’d watch the darts together, enjoy the horse racing. Going to Cheltenham this season was a highlight - one of the best we had. The last time I saw him was the happiest day of his life – his wedding day. I want to remember his never-ceasing smile from that magical day. How much he was bursting with love for his wife and family.

"I can’t believe we’re saying goodbye. It’s too soon, and it hurts so much. But thank you for being in my life, mate – and for making it better. Love you, Diogo."

And striker Darwin Nunez added: "There are no words of comfort for so much pain. I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field. I send all my strength to his family, from where he is I'm sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children."

Liverpool's first friendly of the summer was scheduled to be against Preston North End at Deepdale this Sunday. However, a decision regarding whether the match will take place has not yet been made with head coach Arne Slot set to speak with his players.

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