Liverpool Stars Urged to ‘Speak Up’ About Their Grief Over Diogo Jota’s Death

‘Speak Up’: Bacary Sagna Encourages Liverpool Stars to Confront Diogo Jota Grief

The football world remains in mourning after the devastating loss of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car crash alongside his brother, André Silva, on July 3. As the Liverpool squad begins preparations for the upcoming season, the emotional weight of Diogo Jota’s sudden passing continues to hang heavy over the club.

Among those who’ve spoken out is former Arsenal and Manchester City full-back Bacary Sagna, who knows firsthand the emotional toll such a tragedy can bring. In an emotional interview with CNN, the ex-France international urged Liverpool players to open up, confront their grief, and not bottle up the emotional trauma.

“They will constantly think about it. Because in the dressing room, one space will be free. At lunchtime, one space will be free. In the bus, one space will be free,” Sagna said. “So I clearly advise them to speak up.”

‘We Are Human Beings First’: Football, Grief, and the Need for Healing

Arsenal v Hull City – FA Cup Final

Footballers, for all their fame and fortune, are not immune to life’s hardest truths. The death of a teammate—especially one so young and vibrant—can send shockwaves through even the most experienced dressing rooms. Diogo Jota, just 28, was not just a key part of Liverpool’s attacking arsenal but a beloved figure among his teammates.

Sagna touched on this delicate reality, saying that players spend more time with their teammates than they do with their own families. In such environments, bonds grow strong. Losing someone like Diogo Jota isn’t just the loss of a footballer—it’s the loss of a brother.

“We are human beings first,” Sagna emphasized. “We spend more time with the players than we spend with the whole family, so it’s just crazy. It’s hard to explain why and how it happened, but unfortunately, you have to move on, and you have to try to cope with it. But it’s going to be difficult.”

Jota’s Legacy and the Pain of Absence

Jota’s death sent shockwaves not only through Liverpool but across the global football community. An immensely talented player who had blossomed at Wolverhampton Wanderers before securing his move to Anfield, Diogo Jota was in the prime of his career and had become a fan favorite with his infectious energy, technical prowess, and goal-scoring flair.

His absence now leaves a void not just in the team’s lineup, but in their hearts.

When the Liverpool squad returned to Portugal earlier this month to attend Diogo Jota’s funeral, it was a solemn reminder that football takes a backseat to life. Players embraced, cried, and leaned on each other, but the long road of emotional healing is only just beginning.

Bacary Sagna’s Own Loss: A Pain That Never Fades

Sagna, who lost his own brother in 2008, spoke candidly about how that tragedy affected his football.

“My brain was not there,” he admitted. “It’s my second season. I started doing mistakes, like schoolboy mistakes. To control the ball was difficult. My brain was in slow motion.”

The parallels between Sagna’s experience and what the Liverpool players may face are telling. The former right-back highlighted how unresolved grief can spill over into a player’s form, mindset, and focus—often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.

The Bigger Picture: Mental Health in Football

This tragedy again opens a wider conversation about mental health in elite sport. For years, football has been pushing to normalize open conversations about emotional well-being, and this moment underscores why that mission is so urgent.

Sagna suggests that players should consider professional counselling, even if it’s just to talk things through with someone neutral.

“We talked about life, we talked about many things, and most importantly, I felt a relief. I felt light after this,” Sagna said about his own therapy sessions. “I was like, ‘Why didn’t I go and open up earlier?’ I didn’t have the courage. I didn’t measure the importance of speaking up.”

He continued, “I was thinking he cannot understand me, but they [counsellors] meet so many people, they hear so many stories. The words will be a release, so it’s really important.”

Klopp’s Quiet Leadership

Sources close to Liverpool suggest manager Jürgen Klopp has been especially supportive of his players in this difficult time. Klopp, known for fostering strong team chemistry and emotional intelligence within the squad, has reportedly been checking in with players individually and making room for grief within the team’s schedule.

There’s been no rush to resume business-as-usual. Training sessions have been adapted. Team meetings are more informal. A sense of compassion runs through the club right now, a testament to the leadership at Anfield.

What’s Next for Liverpool?

Diogo Jota Liverpool

Pre-season continues, but Liverpool’s preparations for the new campaign will likely be overshadowed by Diogo Jota’s loss. No tactics board or formation shuffle can erase what the players have endured. This isn’t just about replacing a forward—it’s about mending a team spirit that’s been cracked.

There’s also the matter of helping younger players cope. For academy players and recent signings who may not have known Diogo Jota well, the grief is no less real. They are walking into a club that’s mourning. The onus will be on the senior squad members to lead not just on the pitch but emotionally, off of it.

Grief Is Not Linear

The Liverpool players—and indeed the staff and fanbase—will have good days and bad. There will be moments of sudden tears, unexpected memories, and bittersweet smiles. Sagna’s call to “speak up” is a reminder that silence helps no one in times like this.

Whether in group therapy, quiet chats over dinner, or heartfelt team huddles, the healing will happen—but only if it’s allowed to.

Football can be a powerful vehicle for unity and support. Perhaps in honouring Diogo Jota’s legacy, Liverpool will find strength not just as a football team but as a family.

As the new season begins, the Reds won’t just be playing for trophies. They’ll be playing for Diogo.