Liverpool delay pre-season return as players respond to Diogo Jota's heartbreaking death

Diogo Jota sadly passed away along with his brother following a car crash in Spain with tributes flooding in for the Liverpool star and Anfield entering into mourning

Liverpool have postponed their return from pre-season following the death of Diogo Jota. The Portugal international died following a car crash in Spain.

Jota, 28, passed away along with his 25-year-old brother, Andre SIlva, in the early hours of Thursday morning. The siblings were driving to Santander in order to catch a ferry to the United Kingdom.

Reds stars who were scheduled to come back on Friday will now return on Monday as the club reacts to the devastating news. Liverpool were set to see some of their squad return for physical testing at their training ground.

The hearbreaking news has seen a number of tributes at Anfield and an outpouring of emotion from his team-mates and fans in Liverpool and beyond.

Fans gathered outside of Anfield on Thursday and left flowers, scarves and tributes to the player who won the league with the club last term, and recently married partner, Rute Cardoso.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said: "Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. 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."

Mohamed Salah expressed his disbelief and explained his thoughts are with Jota's family, in statement released on social media: "I am truly lost for words. 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.

"My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten."

The Lamborghini Jota was travelling in suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking and veered off the road. It caught fire and both Jota and his brother were declared dead at the scene.

There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.

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