Embed from Getty Images

Arne Slot has paid tribute to Diogo Jota following his untimely death.

The Liverpool forward and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a road collision in the Spanish province of Zamora in the early hours of Thursday.

Jota scored the opening goal of Slot’s Anfield reign in last season’s Premier League opener at Ipswich Town which began their ascent towards the title.

Slot pays tribute to 'special' Jota: 'He was a loved one to all of us'	Arne Slot statement in full as Liverpool boss pays emotional tribute to Diogo Jota	Diogo Jota dead: Liverpool manager Arne Slot pays tribute to 'unique' star, 28, killed in car crash in Spain only days after wedding

In the wake of the Portugal international’s sudden passing, the Dutchman penned a lengthy homage to the Reds’ dearly departed marksman.

He said: “What to say?

They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle and they belong to the family of Diogo and Andre Silva who have experienced such an unimaginable loss.

“My message to them is very clear – you will never walk alone.

The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.

“This is not solely a response to tragedy.

A person who cared deeply for his family.

“The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding.

“In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.

“When I first came to the club, one of the first songs I got to know was the one that our fans sing for Diogo.

I had not worked with him previously.

“But I knew straight away that if the Liverpool supporters, who have seen so many great players over the years, had such a unique chant for Diogo, he must have special qualities.

“That we have lost those qualities in such terrible circumstances is something we have not yet come to terms with.

“For this reason, we need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another.

We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves.

“My condolences go to Diogo’s wife, Rute, their three beautiful children and to the parents of Diogo and Andre Silva.

“When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song.

“For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss.