Liverpool’s return to coaching was by no means going to be regular and as Arne Slot’s gamers reported again to the AXA Coaching Centre on Tuesday, they had been met by a sea of tributes honouring Diogo Jota.
The photographs, shared by Echo journalist Jamie Greer on X, confirmed flowers, banners, balloons and shirts masking the partitions in Kirkby.
Among the many messages had been two home made banners: one studying “RIP Diogo YNWA” and one other, “Diogo Jota RIP, You’ll By no means Stroll Alone – FOREVER A RED.”
Twenty balloons, a nod to his shirt quantity, floated solemnly amongst scarves and jerseys left behind by supporters.
“Tributes to Diogo Jota exterior the AXA Coaching Centre this morning forward of LFC’s first day of pre-season coaching,” wrote Greer on X, alongside 4 poignant photos capturing the depth of feeling from followers.
Emotional photos from AXA as Salah, Bradley and others return
Image by way of @jamiemgreer on X
The deliberate phased return to pre-season had already been postponed out of respect for Diogo and his household, with Saturday’s funeral taking priority.
Now, simply three days later, most of the similar gamers who flew to Portugal had been again on Merseyside, arriving at Kirkby with the load of grief nonetheless contemporary.
Mo Salah, Conor Bradley and Andy Robertson had been amongst these pictured returning.
The squad’s first scheduled pleasant continues to be set for Sunday in opposition to Preston North Finish, however no last choice has been made. Liverpool will assess participant wellbeing and make a name nearer to the weekend.
With tributes already masking Anfield in latest days, this new wave of mourning on the coaching floor is a strong reminder that the lack of our Portuguese ahead isn’t confined to the stadium.
It’s one thing felt deeply at each stage of the membership.
Preston pleasant stays unsure after squad return
Whether or not or not Sunday’s fixture goes forward, what’s clear is that the AXA complicated has now grow to be a second shrine.
The amount of flowers, the personalised messages and the quiet grief on the gamers’ faces present simply how beloved Jota was—by us, by his teammates, and by Liverpool as a metropolis.
The membership’s e book of condolence stays open at Anfield and on-line for supporters around the globe.
You’ll be able to view the Jota tributes by way of @jamiemgreer on X:
Tributes to Diogo Jota have bern left exterior the AXA Coaching Centre in Kirkby pic.twitter.com/AZbGxMNQp7
– Jamie Greer (@jamiemgreer) July 8, 2025
Tributes to Diogo Jota exterior the AXA Coaching Centre this morning forward of LFC’s first day of pre-season coaching. pic.twitter.com/IgVV90Md5c
– Jamie Greer (@jamiemgreer) July 8, 2025
