It has only been two days since the football world found out that Portuguese international and Liverpool player Diogo Jota had passed away. Travelling through Spain in order to get a ferry back to England in time for pre-season in Merseyside, a tragic vehicular accident occurred that took the lives of Jota and his brother, Andre Silva.
Rest in peace, Diogo and André. pic.twitter.com/sQitLlvofU
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 5, 2025
With everyone still in mourning over the sudden news, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers player’s funeral took place on 5 July, with a collection of family, friends and teammates all in attendance. With tributes continuing to flood in and flowers being laid all over Anfield and Molineux Stadium, Liverpool have had to pivot on the fly and alter their pre-season plans ahead of their title defence, a move no one can question.

Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were involved in a fatal car crash in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Liverpool Alter Pre-Season Plans Following Diogo Jota’s Tragic Death
Some players were originally set to return on the day of the funeral

As of this weekend, a handful of clubs have already gotten their pre-season preparations underway. Those mainly being clubs in the lower leagues, with many Premier League sides returning next week ahead of the 2025/26 season, Liverpool have had a change of course.
A part of the season that most clubs relish, as they can reunite with teammates and prepare for a season of intense football, for Liverpool, it will mark the coming together of a group of mourning friends. Still processing the news, and understandably so, as per The Athletic, Liverpool recognised this and altered their plans for pre-season.

A classy move from Liverpool to put the mental well-being of their players ahead of any desire to defend their Premier League title. Never more so has being a team been so important for the red side of Liverpool.
A club filled with passionate supporters and equally passionate players, everyone involved in the football club will need to lean on one another during the upcoming season and help each other through a traumatic experience. GiveMeSport and the footballing world continue to send their love to Jota’s friends and family, and anyone affected by the situation.