Liverpool have made a powerful and rare gesture by paying Diogo Jota’s family the full £14.5 million remaining on his contract, following the striker’s tragic death in a car crash in July, which also claimed the life of his brother Andre Silva.
Jota had two years left on his £140,000-a-week deal, and while clubs are under no obligation in such cases, Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, insisted his wife Rute Cardoso and their three children receive the full amount
Arne Slot praised the move, saying: “People may think it’s normal, but it’s not in football. What they’ve done is special.
“Owners are mainly criticised, like managers, but the way they’ve handled this situation, by paying his wife and his children all the money from the contract [is commendable].”
The club also permanently retired Jota’s No. 20 shirt, with tributes pouring in from across the football world, including a donation from Chelsea players to support his family.