‘A loved one to all of us' – Arne Slot pays emotional tribute to Diogo Jota after Liverpool star's tragic death
Jota died in a car accident on Thursday while driving through Zamora, Spain with his younger brother, Andre Silva.
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Tributes poured in from across the world of sport, not just football.
His club described the loss of the 28-year-old as "devastating".
Manager Slot has now penned his own heartfelt tribute for the Portuguese footballer, saying he was "loved by all".
In a tribute shared on Liverpool's website, Slot, 46, said: "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.
"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 team-mate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special."
Slot went on to praise Jota's humble nature, never seeking popularity but finding it, and befriending everyone as someone who made others feel good about themselves.
The Dutchman also highlighted the late attacker's hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, and goals as a player.
He then revealed his final conversation with Jota was to congratulate him for Portugal's victory in the Uefa Nations League and wishing him luck for his wedding.
Dad-of-three Jota had married his just 10 days before his heartbreaking passing.
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