Liverpool manager Arne Slot has spoken candidly about the profound impact of Diogo Jota’s tragic death last summer, emphasizing how the team misses him both as a player and as a person.

The Portuguese winger, aged 28, died in a car crash, leaving a deep emotional void at Anfield and among his former teammates. The loss continues to resonate within the Liverpool squad as they navigate a challenging season in the Premier League.

Andy Robertson Remembers His Teammate

Liverpool captain Andy Robertson opened up about his own feelings on Tuesday, before Scotland’s thrilling 4-2 World Cup qualifying win over Denmark. Robertson revealed that thoughts of Jota had been on his mind all day.

“I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today,” said Robertson. “We spoke so much about going to the World Cup because he missed the last one with Portugal and I did with Scotland. I know he’ll be smiling over me today.”

Arne Slot on the Emotional Impact

Slot acknowledged the emotional weight of Jota’s absence, noting that the loss is particularly challenging for his family:

“I saw the interview with Robertson live and I know that it is an issue for us, which is completely normal,” Slot said. “At this moment in time, I always think how must it feel for his wife and his children? It is so, so, so much harder for them than it is for us. But that we will miss the player and the person is completely clear.”

The Liverpool boss stressed that Jota’s absence is felt on multiple levels—both in terms of on-field performance and personal connection with teammates.

Jota’s Influence on Key Matches

Liverpool are currently enduring a challenging spell in the Premier League, having lost four of their last five matches, including a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City prior to the international break. The Reds sit eighth in the table, eight points behind leaders Arsenal, ahead of their upcoming match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Slot reflected on a memorable moment from last season, when Jota scored a critical goal against Forest:

“In last season’s league fixture away at Forest, Jota scored 22 seconds after coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw,” Slot recalled. “Now we play Nottingham Forest, last season there we were 1-0 down and it only took him one minute to score the equaliser. So now I am talking about the player that we miss for sure. That we also miss him as a person is also clear.”

Team Updates Ahead of Forest Clash

Liverpool will have some positive news as goalkeeper Alisson Becker returns to action after a six-week hamstring injury. However, Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz remain unavailable due to unspecified injuries, meaning Slot must adjust his squad for the visit of Forest.

Despite these challenges, Slot is determined to honor Jota’s memory by maintaining focus on both team performance and morale, highlighting the continued importance of unity and resilience at Anfield.