Liverpool players ‘heartbroken’ after death of team-mate Diogo Jota in car crash

Liverpool’s “heartbroken” players have spoken of their pain in paying tribute to team-mate Diogo Jota after he was killed in a car crash at the age of 28.

The Portugal forward died along with his younger brother Andre Silva in the accident in Zamora in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Less than two weeks ago Jota married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. The couple have three children together.

According to BBC Sport, Jota was returning for pre-season training next week via ferry after being advised not to fly following minor surgery.

“Words can not describe how heartbroken and devastated we are… Your smile, your love for the game will never be forgotten,” midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai wrote on X.

“We will miss you so much, but you will stay with us forever, on and off the pitch. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace, brother.”

Striker Darwin Nunez expressed his sympathies on Instagram, saying: “There are no words of comfort for so much pain.

“I will always remember you with your smile, as a good companion on and off the field.

“I send all my strength to his family, from where he is I’m sure he will always be with you, especially his wife and three children.”

Nunez signed off “Q.E.P.D (que en paz descanse – may he rest in peace) Diogo and Andre”.

Harvey Elliott, a member of England Under-21s’ European Championship-winning team, posted: “Diogo, I can’t believe you’re gone. It’s hard to put into words how much this hurts us.

“You were an incredible footballer… the kind that made a difference every single time you stepped on the field. You were humble, hard-working, kind, and always there for anyone that needed anything.

“I feel so lucky to have shared the pitch with you, shared