Slot's praise for Blues after Jota's passing

ARNE Slot has paid tribute to Everton for the respect shown to a grieving Liverpool following the death of Diogo Jota.

- By PAUL GORST

And the Reds boss says such acts transcend the footballing rivalry in the city as the Premier League champions get set to host their neighbours in the first Merseyside derby of the new season on Saturday lunchtime.

Jota passed away in early July when he and his brother, Andre Silva, were involved in a car crash in northern Spain.

The days that followed saw Anfield become the site to mourn the passing of the popular Portugal international and his sibling, as thousands of fans from a wide variety of clubs laid their floral tributes.

Everton were one of the first to reach out, arriving at Anfield with a delegation that included Portugal-born strikers Beto and Youssef Chermiti alongside club legend Ian Snodin.

Club captain Seamus Coleman and manager David Moyes also turned out to offer their condolences.