After the tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, Arne Slot knew the first days back could never feel normal.

The squad gathered this week not only as professionals preparing for a new campaign but also as teammates trying to process the sudden loss of someone they admired and loved.

The first days back were about more than football, they were about supporting each other and finding a way forward together.

Arne Slot gives first interview since Diogo Jota's tragic death - as Liverpool boss reveals message to the squad ahead of emotional return to the pitch	Arne Slot makes emotional vow about Liverpool return following Diogo Jota death	Preston clash officially confirmed as Reds set for emotional return to action

ALSO READ: Arne Slot opens up on Liverpool’s decision to retire Diogo Jota shirt number

Slot shared in an interview with the club’s media that he wouldn’t ask players to hide their feelings.

Instead, he urged them to handle their sorrow as Jota would have, by staying true to themselves, whatever that looked like.

“It’s very difficult to find the right words,” he said.

“We constantly debate what is appropriate.

Can we train again?

Can we be angry if there’s a wrong decision?”

He told the squad simply: “If we want to laugh we laugh; if we want to cry we’re going to cry.

If they want to train they can train, if they don’t want to train they can not train.

But be yourself.”

Slot also reminded everyone that Diogo Jota always stepped up when situations were at their hardest.

“So we are in a very difficult time, so let’s try to do what Diogo did so many times.