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Arne Slot has confirmed that Diogo Jota's family will be present at Anfield for Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth. Jota tragically lost his life in a car accident alongside his brother last month shortly after his wedding.
The footballer married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso in June, with the pair sharing three children together, and Jota's relatives are expected to attend Liverpool's first league fixture since his death.
In his programme notes before the match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot penned: "As I have said previously, the tributes that have been paid throughout the football world, and especially within the LFC community, have been truly special, and I know that tonight we will come together to honour them once more.
"I believe that Diogo's wife, his children and his family will be in attendance and it is important that, as a club, we show that they will always have our love and support as they deal with this most tragic of situations. We are there for them always."
Teammate Alexis Mac Allister also recently offered a heartfelt tribute to Jota, speaking candidly about their bond. "There's one in the group who will hold a special place in our hearts forever.," he said in the Players' Tribune.
"Obviously, and with great emotion, I want to dedicate this paragraph to Diogo. I still can't understand how he left us so early. I always had a good relationship with him, but this past year even more so.
"He was always a very down-to-earth, family-oriented person, and never tried to pretend to be something he wasn't. One day he would come and give you the hug of a lifetime, and the next day he wouldn't even say hello, hahaha.
"We loved to 'take the p---,' and we always found a way, whether it was our Messi vs. Cristiano arguments, or just playing cards. It was part of the game. I will always choose to remember him with a smile.
"And I know that with that smile, he'll be supporting us from above. If you don't believe that, then just look at the minute Frimpong scored in the Community Shield. The 20th. These are signs.....
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"I'd like to take this opportunity to send my warmest regards to his family, whom we must never forget, as they are the ones who are suffering the most from the tragic passing of him and his brother André. My respect and love to all of them."
Speaking ahead of the game against Bournemouth, Slot added: "In a football sense, we are, of course, glad to be back here for a competitive game.
"It has been a while, of course, but there is nothing like Anfield under the lights and we are all looking forward to getting our campaign under way this evening."
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