Arne Slot has expressed that he is “proud” of how Liverpool have handled the passing of Diogo Jota, especially during a week when the forward would have celebrated his 29th birthday.
Thursday marked what would have been Jota’s birthday, a moment that highlighted the perspective on Liverpool’s on-field struggles.
Reflecting on the challenges of coping with Jota’s loss, Slot spoke candidly to Sky Sports.
“The players and our fans and everyone connected to the football club… everybody has conducted themselves so well,” said Slot.
“Every game in the 20th minute the fans sing for him. And from the moment it happened until now, I think I’m proud of how everyone has handled the situation. As a club, as players, as supporters, in my opinion, we couldn’t have done better than we did.
“And I leave results completely out of this conversation.”
Slot added: “It is completely different than what’s usual when you grieve. It’s usually either someone’s family or relative or a friend of yours, and then you come to your work and that’s the place to forget the grief. And now that is the opposite.
“So now when they are here, the players, and us as a staff as well, [we] are much more confronted with it instead of when we are at home.
“We all have to understand that if it’s difficult for us, how hard is it for his family, for his wife, children, parents?
“Yes, it’s hard for us, but for them it must be so hard.
“It’s his birthday, Christmas is coming up, New Year’s Eve, so it has been such a difficult year for them and this month will not be an exception to that.”
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