Liverpool 'consumed by shock and sorrow' as club release fresh Diogo Jota statement

Liverpool have said the club is 'consumed by shock and sorrow' following the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota. The Portuguese, 28, was killed in a car crash in the early hours of Thursday morning in Spain.

Jota was travelling near the Zamora area of northern Spain near the Portuguese border when his Lamborghini blew a tyre while overtaking another vehicle. The car then burst into flames killing both him and his brother Andre, 26.

Tributes have poured in from far and wide after news of the tragedy broke, including from several of Jota's Anfield teammates. Now, in a joint statement, CEO Michael Edwards and Sporting Director Richard Hughes have paid their respects.

READ MORE: Diogo Jota's touching gesture revealed as 'devastated' Liverpool duo pay tribute

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"There is nothing that we can say in this moment to ease the pain of such a devastating tragedy," they said. "We all feel utterly bereft right now.

"In such heartbreaking circumstances, it is our responsibility to acknowledge the collective grief we are experiencing, to pay tribute to our Diogo, and to offer unwavering support to his family who remain our absolute priority at this time.

"Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children, his parents and wider family are facing an unimaginable loss. This tragic accident has taken not only Diogo, but also his brother, Andre Silva. We mourn them both equally. We must respect the family’s privacy and give them the space to grieve in whichever way they need.

"Of course, we – his Liverpool family – are also struggling to come to terms with what has happened. As his teammates, friends and colleagues, we are consumed by shock and sorrow. We know our supporters, his national team, former clubs and teammates and the wider football community share in this grief. This is a tragedy that transcends Liverpool Football Club.

"In the coming days, we as a club will look to honour our beloved number 20 with the respect and affection he so richly deserves. We will strive to make these tributes meaningful and inclusive of our supporters, to whom Diogo meant so much.

"For now, we express a love that is filled with deep sorrow and pain. We have lost someone truly irreplaceable.

"Rest in peace, Diogo. YNWA."

Arne Slot has also paid tribute to Jota, revealing he had been in touch to congratulate him on winning the Nations League ahead of his recent wedding.

"What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words but I know I do not," Slot said.

"All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about.

"My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.

"My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.

"This is not solely a response to tragedy. It is also a reaction to the goodness of the people involved and the respect that so many have for the boys as individuals and for the family as a whole.

"For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a teammate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special.

"I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.

"There were also the parts that not everyone got to see. The person who never sought popularity but found it anyway. Not a friend to two people, a friend to everyone. Someone who made others feel good about themselves just by being with them. A person who cared deeply for his family.

"The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.

"When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo. I had not worked with him previously but I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities.

"That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with. For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves.

"My condolences go to Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva.

"When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song. For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten.

"His name is Diogo."

The club have also opened both physical and digital books of condolence, encouraging fans to pay their respects to Jota. Liverpool stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, while flags at Anfield have been lowered to half-mast. Club staff have been offered wellbeing support.

Alexis Mac Allister was among Jota's teammates to pay tribute. He said: "I can't believe it. I will always remember your smiles, your anger, your intelligence, your companionship and everything that made you a person. It hurts a lot, we will miss you. Rest in peace dear Diogo."

Dominik Szboszlai added: "Words cannot describe how heartbroken and devastated we are... Your smile, your love for the game will never be forgotten. We will miss you so much, but you will stay with us forever, on and off the pitch. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace, brother."

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