‘What is appropriate?' – Arne Slot opens up on coping with Diogo Jota tragedy and his advice to heartbroken Reds squad
The champions return to action at Preston this afternoon, still mourning the loss of their Portuguese international forward ten days ago.
7
Slot and Liverpool have been paying their respects to Jota, who tragically passed away
Credit: PA
7
The news of the tragic passing of Jota and his brother Andre is yet to make sense to anyone
Credit: Getty
7
Liverpool have decided to retire the number 20 at the club
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Jota, 28, and his brother Andre were killed in a car accident in
Spain
as they began their journey back to
England
for
pre-season
training.
Slot has spoken for the first time since the devastating news and says the club has to find a way to move on and start focussing on football again.
For now, he has told his players to be themselves as they come to terms with the sudden loss of their popular team-mate.
The Anfield boss said: 'Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened.
READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
'But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not.
'What I've said to the players, I can say it here as well. It's very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate.
'What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate for what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there's a wrong decision?
'And I've said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself.
Most read in Football
Diogo Jota's classy act of humility left me and my U13s team stunned - he was a credit to his family and football
'It didn't matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself.
'So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh, if we want to cry we're going to cry.
'If they want to train they can train, if they don't want to train they can not train. But be yourself, don't think you have to be different than your emotions tell you.'
Liverpool announced last week that they will retire Jota's No20 shirt in all their teams right across the club as a lasting tribute to him.
Slot has welcomed the move, saying: 'We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.
'Maybe especially in difficult moments but in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts.
'To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done.'
Slot and his wife Mirjam were among the thousands who have visited Anfield to pay their respects to Jota over the past few days.
And he said the fact the former Wolves forward had been through such an unforgettable few weeks gave him some solace in the dark days.
He said: 'What I take comfort in is that in the last month of his life he was a champion in everything.
7
Jota's passing shook the world of football
Credit: Alamy
7
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United at Jota's funeral
Credit: Getty
'A champion for his family, which is the main and most important thing, because he got married.
'A champion for his country because he won the Nations League, [with] a country that he cared about so much.
'And of course a champion for us by winning the Premier League.'
The outpouring of emotion since Jota's death has only reinforced Slot's own bond with the club and supporters.
He said: 'In the title parade, it was only the Liverpool fans I assume. Now this time it was the complete city, it wasn't only Liverpool, it was also the
'And not only this city but also all around the country and in the world. To represent this club in this city now even means more to me and to my wife than it did before.'
7
He passed away only ten days after his marriage
Credit: Instagram
7
Diogo Jota and his family days before the tragic accident
Credit: fk.felippekatia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Daniel Dubois' camp for Oleksandr Usyk undisputed showdown fuelled by Ascot wins, Porsches and ancient Greece
DANIEL DUBOIS' dream of Oleksandr Usyk revenge and undisputed heavyweight glory is being fuelled by Ascot wins, Porsche speed and ancient Greek athletics. The 27-year-old IBF heavyweight champion of the world is a different beast to the boy who clammed up Advertisement 8 Daniel Dubois' training camp for his Oleksandr Usyk rematch is spurring him onto glory Credit: Reuters 8 Dubois' day of top hats at the races has given him a new layer of confidence Credit: Getty 8 Dubois rocks up to training every day in a state of the art Porsche Credit: Getty And he invited SunSport down to his gym to understand what makes Phenomenal wins over drug cheat Jarrell Miller, dangerous Filip Hrgovic and the iconic September knockout of Anthony Joshua have helped the home-schooled introvert morph into a confident playboy. The new wheels and last month's VIP trip to the races have given Dynamite Dan a new layer of confidence and belief and a licence to thrill. Ahead of the rerun - against Ukraine's WBA, WBC and WBO boss Advertisement READ MORE IN BOXING 'It was good,' he grinned at a question not about boxing. 'It was the first time I had ever been out to the races, so it was good, it was a good experience. 'I didn't have any winners but one of the people that we went with had a big winner, so that's good luck. 'It was great to see the wider public and a wider audience know me - and what I have achieved - and what my next fight is. Advertisement Most read in Boxing BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 'Maybe one day I will settle down on my own little farm and get a couple of horses of my own.' The farm Dubois refers to is the lush Borehamwood grounds his trainer Don Charles' Pug Gym is based on. 'Boxing ain't broke here' Frank Warren on the Dubois v Usyk, Tyson Fury and IF he will ever retire | No Glove Lost 8 Dubois was beaten by Usyk in their first clash nearly two years ago Credit: Getty Advertisement 8 Triple D is hoping to add to his IBF heavyweight crown this weekend Credit: Getty Woodcock Hill is a working farm with tractors and stables and two beautiful horses housed right next to the high-roofed sweatbox where Dubois thrashes it out with sparring partners. But - most importantly - the hill-top car park is just eight miles from Wembley, where Dubois dethroned AJ as the king of British boxing and he aims to topple Usyk from the global throne next. And every morning when the 6ft 5in, 17st powerhouse unfolds out of his two-seater convertible he cannot miss the 440ft arch, just eight miles down the road, that stares back. Advertisement He explained: 'When you are in that ring, you are totally alone, so this sort of isolation is good. 'Arriving at work every morning and seeing that Wembley arch from the car park feels fantastic. 'But it just serves as a reminder that I need to produce a repeat performance. 8 Advertisement USYK VS DUBOIS 2: Stream, TV channel and undercard info for blockbuster Wembley fight 'I try to soak everything up but we are in fight week now, I have tunnel vision. 'Once the fight is done, then I will enjoy it all properly.' Advertisement Assistant trainer Kieran Farrell confirmed the whole team starts the day with a quick game of eye spy. 'When we arrive at training every morning, we always look over at the Wembley arch and use it as inspiration,' he said. 'And I have caught Daniel doing it a few times as well, when we have been three and then two weeks out. It inspires us all.' Dubois was a mercurial talent even as a middleweight boy. Advertisement And with dad Stan desperate to maximise his potential and earning power, he moved around all of London's best amateur gyms. 8 It's been similar in the paid ranks too, with Dubois impressing at the Peacock and Shane McGuigan gyms, before ditching them both. Lightweight world champion Caroline Dubois even split up the giant family when she decided her dad was too controlling. Advertisement And hardcore boxing fans have always been concerned that an overbearing parent - who home schooled six of his most recent children - is the reason Dubois didn't have the mental strength to cope with Joe Joyce and Usyk challenges. But Don Charles, the latest coach who has definitely got sensational results in the latest run, explained: 'Dan's dad is a very strict father, just like my father was. 'Whether you are from the Caribbean or Africa, one thing we have in common is that black parents are very strict and we have a very strict upbringing. 'Daniel has a disciplined background, from his father and he has used boxing to occupy them. Advertisement 'He can't be doing bad because he has a world champion son and daughter.' 8 Usyk found Tyson Fury was his toughest opponent When SunSport first covered Dubois around a decade ago, we were stunned to hear the callouses and scars on his hands. It was explained that his dad would order him to start doing press ups on his knuckles and - instead of counting his progress in reps - he would pop down the shop and score his gruelling dips by the HOUR. Advertisement Calisthenics and mobility mastermind Cuong Hua, who has been in Dubois' corner for seven years, explained that Dan has a freakish commitment to training, matched by only 0.1 per cent of the country and America's most extreme soldiers. He told us: 'Dan is old school so sometimes he feels, unless he is exhausted and broken down, then he hasn't worked hard enough. 'We have explained to him over the years that he doesn't have to destroy himself to have worked hard. 'Even when Dan first started on the pull-up bar, he could do 20 strict-form pull-ups. Advertisement 'I don't think people know how difficult that is, that's something the Navy Seals aim for, it's better than 99.9 per cent of the planet can dream of. 'Dan is the most flexible big man I have ever seen, he can almost do the splits. 'For a 6ft 5in, 110kgs man, that is tremendous and almost mad.'
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ‘has Besiktas contract terminated' with former England star's career left in limbo
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN has become a free agent after Besiktas terminated his contract. Oxlade-Chamberlain, 31, joined the Turkish giants from 2 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has become a free agent after Besiktas terminated his contract 2 Besiktas tore Oxlade-Chamberlain's deal after paying him a hefty severance fee According to Yeni Safak, the Istanbul outfit tore the versatile midfielder's deal after paying him a hefty severance fee. The same source claims Besiktas paid £1.2million in order to release the former England international. That would pose as a cheaper price than to pay the former The ex-Liverpool ace's contract with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side ran until 2026. Read More on Football Sources told SunSport Oxlade-Chamberlain fell out of favour in Solskjaer's eyes ahead of the coming season. The same sources claim Besiktas initially wanted to pay the ex- However, the central midfielder refused to accept and a meeting took place where a final decision was made to pay everything in full. Oxlade-Chamberlain amassed a mere total of five goals and one assist in 50 appearances with Besiktas. Most read in Football The former Premier League ace's future is currently uncertain after his exit from the Turkish outfit. Besiktas, though, will still have English representation this coming season. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shows off his football skills at Beşiktaş Training Solskjaer's side
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Arsenal to seal three signings THIS WEEK as Mikel Arteta's summer spending spree nears £200million
MIKEL ARTETA is on the verge of spending nearly £200million this summer as Arsenal prepare to seal three new signings in the coming days. Title hopeful Arteta has already Advertisement 6 Viktor Gyokeres is set to be one of THREE signings made by Arsenal this week Credit: Getty 6 The striker will be joined at the Emirates by Noni Madueke Credit: Getty 6 The additional arrival of Cristhian Mosquera will take Arsenal's spending to nearly £200m Credit: Getty But after sealing a second-place finish for the third straight season, the Spaniard is in full business mode. And with the help of new sporting director Andrea Berta, Arteta expects to see three more faces join Arsenal this week – taking his summer spend to nearly £200m. According to the The Swede scored 54 goals in 52 outings last season and is sure to calm the nerves of fans concerned about Arsenal's lack of composure in front of goal. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Arteta is also The England star is back in Blighty after missing Chelsea's Club World Cup final win over PSG. And he has already completed the first part of his medical, with an announcement due shortly. Finally, Arsenal's latest hat-trick of signings will be Advertisement Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The Valencia centre-back will cost just £13m and is seen as an ideal back-up option for William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Arsenal's next three signings will take their summer spending to £186m. Man Utd vs Arsenal fan battle: 'Odegaard's streets ahead of bottle job Fernandes' | Stoppage Time 6 Martin Zubimendi has already arrived from Real Sociedad Credit: Getty Advertisement 6 Christian Norgaard was snapped up from Brentford Credit: Getty 6 Arsenal pounced for Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga too Credit: Getty But it may not stop there, with Arteta still looking at signing a left winger. Newcastle's Anthony Gordon and Real Madrid's Rodrygo are both high on his list. Advertisement While Arsenal retain interest in versatile Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. However, the Gunners will also look to sell some current players after stars like Jorginho, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu departed on free transfers. Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Karl Hein are all available for exits. And should they all be sold, it would free up a pretty penny for Arsenal's stretched transfer kitty. Advertisement
