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Liverpool striker Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, were laid to rest on Saturday (July 5), having been killed in the early hours of Thursday morning (July 3) after being involved in a car accident in Spain.

Alexander-Arnold played alongside Jota for five years at Anfield, helping Liverpool win the Premier League, League Cup and FA Cup.

But while Portugal team-mates Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo were able to fly immediately to the brothers' funeral in Gondomar following their own FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final on Friday (July 4), Alexander-Arnold was unable to attend due to his own club commitments in the United States on Saturday.



READ MORE:Diogo Jota's lasting gift to his home town will never be forgottenREAD MORE:Kylian Mbappe pays tribute to Liverpool forward Diogo Jota with touching gesture

The former Reds vice-captain claimed an assist as Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2, with team-mate Kylian Mbappe dedicating his own match-winning goal to Jota by doing a number 20 gesture with his fingers before praying following the strike.

Number 20 was the forward's squad number at Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold admitted how hard it had been to play while grieving his former team-mate and close friend.

I tried to do it as best as I could, but it was difficult and I am not going to lie about that.

"I did it in honour of my close friend.

He was there with me today, I am sure.”

Alexander-Arnold also shared his support for Jota and Silva’s loved ones.

“Condolences, my love, my thoughts and prayers to the family of a close friend of mine, to the family and friends,” he said.

It has been difficult, it’s been very emotional, very heartwarming to see the footballing world unite and come together to show their love and support to him and his family, and obviously his brother as well.

“Although it’s been difficult, it’s also been a nice showing out from everyone, all clubs, all people uniting and showing love and support for what must be a mind-blowingly hard time for the family.

“I've been in and around him and his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his amazing parents and his amazing three children.

“It's truly, truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that.

It's something you would never, ever expect.

“He was a very close friend.