Liverpool stars pay tribute to Jota on eve of funeral

Mourners gathered at a vigil in Portugal to commemorate Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, following their deaths in a car accident.

- Andy Hunter

Jota and his 25-year-old sibling died when the Lamborghini they were travelling in careered off a road in north-western Spain in the early hours of Thursday. The bodies of the two professional footballers were returned to Portugal later that day. Jota was 28 and had married his long-term partner, Rute Cardoso, 11 days before his death. They had three young children.

José Manuel Macedo, parish priest of Sao Cosme church in Gondomar, said that a vigil for the brothers would take place at the local cemetery chapel yesterday before their funeral at Sao Cosme's Igreja Matriz church today at 10am. Jota and Silva grew up in Gondomar, a small city east of Porto.

Liverpool have chartered a plane to take club staff to Portugal before the funeral service. Liverpool players, most of whom are currently on holiday, are also likely to be in attendance. The majority were due to report back for the start of pre-season training early next week but all football-related activity at the club, from first team to academy level, has been put on hold. The club's priority is supporting Jota's bereaved family.