A devastated Mohamed Salah has admitted he is ‘frightened’ over the prospect of returning to Liverpool following the death of teammate Diogo Jota.
Jota and his brother Andre were killed in the early hours of Thursday morning after the Lamborghini they were travelling in crashed in northwest Spain.
The Portugal international had planned to travel back to the UK by ferry after he was advised not to fly by doctors having recently undergone lung surgery.
The 28-year-old married his childhood sweetheart Ruta Cardoso just 12 days ago, leaving behind three young children.
Arne Slot and former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp delivered powerful tributes to Jota on Thursday.
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Jota’s teammates have also spoken out in memory of their friend with Salah breaking his silence on Friday afternoon.
In an incredibly poignant message, the Egypt international wrote: ‘I am truly lost for words.
‘Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break.
‘Team mates come and go but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.
‘My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who 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’s grieving family gathered for his and his brother’s wake in their hometown of Gondomar with their funeral to take place on Saturday.
Back in Liverpool, fans have continued to lay flowers and personal tributes to the forward at Anfield with former captain Jordan Henderson also visiting the vigil on Friday afternoon.
The England international was seen wiping away tears as he laid down flowers with a personal note that read: Rest in peace my friend, along with your brother Andre. We will all miss you.”
