Arne Slot hails ‘unbelievable’ Liverpool conduct after Jota tragedy
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hailed the “unbelievable” conduct of the club’s supporters and owners following the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota.
The Portugal international and his brother, Andre Silva, died in a car crash in Spain last summer.
Tributes have remained a constant presence at Anfield eight months on from the 27-year-old’s passing, with chants and visual memorials persisting throughout the campaign.
Slot admits the response from the fanbase and the institution has left a lasting mark on him during his debut season in charge.
“The way the fans conducted themselves after that tragedy, how many flowers there were, all the memorials, I can almost get emotional thinking about it,” Slot told TNT Sports.
“It’s unbelievable what our fans have done and our players as well, the way they have conducted themselves in and around the funeral.”
FSG honour contract commitments
The Dutchman also reserved special praise for the club’s ownership group, Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
Liverpool have vowed to pay the remaining two years of the former Wolves striker’s contract to his widow and children.
Slot highlighted that such a gesture goes against the norms often associated with the business side of football.
“Owners are mainly criticised, like managers, but the way they’ve handled this situation by paying his wife and his children all the money from the contract is [special],” said Slot.
“Maybe people think it’s normal, but it is not in football.”
An emotional return to Molineux
The Reds are preparing to face Jota’s former club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, twice in the space of 72 hours.
Liverpool travel to Molineux for a Premier League fixture on Tuesday night before returning for an FA Cup fifth-round clash on Friday.
There were poignant scenes when the two sides met at Anfield in December, with members of the forward’s family in attendance.
While the atmosphere will be heavy, Slot must prepare his side to face a Wolves team fighting for survival.
Rob Edwards’ side remain rooted to the bottom of the table but have shown signs of improvement, having recently drawn with Arsenal and defeated Aston Villa.
