Liverpool has given Jota a tribute to him, saying that such “unusual losses” had the club “devastated”.
He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool, winning the FA Cup and League Cup and last season’s Premier League titles in 2022.
The club issued further statements later Thursday, with boss slot paying tribute to the players who became “love for everyone” at the club.
The Dutch added:
Slot said he last spoke with Jota to congratulate Portugal on winning the Nations League and wish him good luck at his wedding.
“In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family.
Slot said Liverpool and its supporters are “everything” and “Jota’s family,” and “the same can be said about the broader football family.”
Reds captain Virgil van Dik said it was a “privilege” to play with Jota and be his friend.
“We will miss you beyond words and we will never forget you,” Dutchman added. “Your legacy will live on. We will confirm it.”
Left back Andy Robertson said Jota was the “most British foreign player” he’s met.
In a post on Instagram, Scotland International added:
The club’s owner and leadership group statements Billy Hogan, John Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon said they left a “paralytic sadness” as they expressed sadness to Jota’s family.
They added: “Beyond the players who knew we were all amazingly humble people, he was honest, intelligent, interesting, tough, and created connections with everybody he went to.
In a statement, Liverpool sports director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group’s Football Michael Edwards said: “This is a tragedy that transcends the Liverpool Football Club.”
They added that the club appears to honor “respect and affection.” He is worthy of the next few days, but for now he is expressing his love filled with deep sadness and pain after losing someone “really irreplaceable.”
