Arne Slot has detailed his method to the beginning of Liverpool’s pre-season following the loss of life of Diogo Jota, having informed his gamers to “do what Diogo did.”
Liverpool kick off their run of pre-season friendlies with a visit to Preston on Sunday afternoon, having returned to the AXA Coaching Centre on Tuesday.
It is going to be an emotional event with tributes all through for Jota, and people gamers and employees who’ve misplaced a good friend could all react in several methods.
That has made the begin to pre-season needing cautious administration from Slot, who won’t drive his gamers to coach or play in the event that they really feel they can not however has accepted “we have to play once more, if we wish it or not.”
“What I’ve stated to the gamers, I can say it right here as effectively,” he defined in an interview with the membership’s official web site.
“It’s very tough to seek out the best phrases as a result of we always debate what is acceptable.
“What is acceptable in our actions? What is acceptable (for) what we have now to say? Can we prepare once more? Can we snort once more? Can we be offended if there’s a incorrect choice?
“And I’ve stated to them, possibly the very best factor for us to do is deal with this example like Jota was.
“And what I meant with that’s that Jota was all the time himself, it didn’t matter if he was speaking to me, to his teammates, to the employees, he was all the time himself.
“So allow us to attempt to be ourselves as effectively. So, if we need to snort we snort; if we need to cry we’re going to cry.
“In the event that they need to prepare they’ll prepare, in the event that they don’t need to prepare they cannot prepare.
“However be your self, don’t suppose it’s important to be completely different than your feelings inform you.”
Slot added: “Jots was the participant that if issues have been actually, actually, actually tough, I all the time checked out him and stated, ‘now we’d like one thing particular from you’.
“And he delivered so many occasions in these moments. I can give you all of those moments, even earlier than I used to be right here he had many of those moments as effectively.
“So we’re in a really tough time, so let’s attempt to do what Diogo did so many occasions.
“If it’s so tough then strive a bit of bit tougher or simply carry on going and attempt to make it work.”
Liverpool have retired the No. 20 shirt in honour of Jota, who shall be remembered not solely all through pre-season and into their title defence in 2025/26 – however now for generations to return.
