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

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."

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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."

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk meanwhile has vowed to support Jota's family. Posting on Instagram, Van Dijk wrote: "Man, I can't believe it, I don't wanna believe it. Absolutely devastated and in total disbelief. What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man.

"You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids.

"I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family. A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it.

"We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it! Rest in perfect peace Diogo & Andre."

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.

Jota's agent, Jorge Mendes, arrived alongside the player's mother at the Puebla de Sanabria mortuary in Zamora after travelling to Spain to be with the grieving family. Thursday evening the saw hearses depart for the Liverpool forward's hometown of Gondomar, near Porto in Portugal.

Jota and his brother's funerals are set to take place at 10am on Saturday morning. A vigil is expected to take place at Sao Cosme Chapel before a funeral service at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar.