Mohamed Salah says Diogo Jota’s death has left him “frightened” to return to Liverpool
The Portuguese forward and his younger brother, Andre Silva, died in the early hours of Thursday morning after their car veered off a motorway in Spain and caught fire.
Mohamed Salah has said he feels "frightened" to return to Liverpool following the tragic death of teammate Diogo Jota in a car accident, as the Premier League champions postponed the return of several players for pre-season training.
The Portuguese forward and his younger brother, Andre Silva, died in the early hours of Thursday morning after their car veered off a motorway in Spain and caught fire.
Mourners gathered in Portugal on Friday for a wake ahead of the brothers' funeral, which is due to take place on Saturday.
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Jota's Liverpool teammates have expressed their shock and sorrow at the news, with club captain Virgil van Dijk writing on Instagram that he was "absolutely devastated and in total disbelief".
Liverpool manager Arne Slot said that everyone connected with the club owed it to Jota to "stand together and be there for one another".
Egyptian international Salah also paid tribute on Friday.
"I am truly lost for words," last season's Premier League top scorer wrote on Instagram. "Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me about going back to Liverpool after the break.
"Teammates come and go, but not like this. It's going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won't be there when we return.
"My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who have suddenly lost their children. Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten."
Jota had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, on 22 June. Just hours before the fatal crash, he posted a video of their wedding on Instagram. The couple had three children.
The first group of Liverpool players under new head coach Arne Slot had been due to report back to the club's training ground on Friday for initial fitness testing following the summer break, but their return has reportedly been delayed until Monday.
Liverpool's first pre-season fixture is set to take place against Preston on 13 July.
The club have lowered flags to half-mast and opened a book of condolence in memory of Jota.
Fans have laid flowers, scarves, and shirts at a makeshift shrine outside Anfield, while tributes have also been paid at Wolves' Molineux Stadium, where Jota previously played.
