The show goes on at Liverpool as the Anfield outfit has confirmed the dates for the start and end of its pre-season tour.
The tour, which will see them visit a few locations to interact with their fans from across the world, was set to begin last Friday at the AXA Training Centre. However, Diogo Jota’s unfortunate demise on Thursday meant that the plans had to be moved.
Players, fans, rivals and dignitaries from the football world flooded the player’s home town in Portugal over the weekend to pay their last respects to Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, who died in an unfortunate car accident as they holidayed in Spain after the former Liverpool man’s wedding.
The world of football continues to mourn, with several teams paying respect and various matches, including those at the FIFA Club World Cup, observing minutes of silence for Diogo and his brother, Andre.
The funeral rites have now been concluded, and Liverpool, champions of the 2024/25 Premier League season, will be faced with a hard season. First is a title defence in the 2025/26 season against very hungry opponents. Next is a season without Jota, who was pivotal to many moments in the season that helped them clinch the title after 38 games.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Arne Slot has now set Tuesday, July 8, as the new start date for pre-season. This will allow staff who travelled to Portugal some time off to mourn and to rest from the activities of the funeral. Whether they will play their first friendly of the season is another story.
Liverpool had scheduled a meeting with Preston North End on July 13. Returning on July 8 may not give them enough time to get in gameday shape. The players and the staff will discuss this when they assemble on Tuesday. Preston will hold tributes for Jota and his brother if the match goes on as planned, however.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have resolved to pay the remaining two years of Jota’s contract to his family as part of their condolence efforts. They have also set up a fund to take care of his three children until they are of legal age as part of these efforts. All of these were announced over the weekend after the funeral, when the news broke out that they will be retiring the number 20 shirt in honour of the player.
