Jürgen Klopp has spoken with rare candour about the loss of Diogo Jota, describing the Liverpool forward’s passing as “exactly like a family member.” The former Reds manager recalled the moment he learned of the accident and how the news left him silent and stunned, reflecting the depth of Jota’s impact in the dressing room and beyond.

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and became a trusted pillar under Klopp, scoring 65 goals in 182 appearances, winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and helping the team reach the 2022 Champions League final. Tributes since July have consistently underscored his professionalism, intelligence off the ball, and big-game temperament—qualities Klopp said were impossible to replace.

During the same conversation, Klopp also touched on how the transfer first took shape, crediting internal conviction and—according to widely shared clips—Mohamed Salah’s push behind the scenes. As one viral pull-quote has it: “It’s true that it was Mo Salah who tried to convince me to sign Diogo Jota.”

Now serving as head of football operations within the Red Bull network, Klopp insisted he is content outside day-to-day coaching, yet he left a door ajar to one scenario: a future return to Anfield. He reiterated he would not coach another English club and called a Liverpool comeback “theoretically possible”.

More than statistics, Klopp’s words painted a portrait of Jota as a “very special young man” whose presence knitted a squad together. For supporters and former teammates still processing the grief, the message was clear: Jota’s legacy is measured as much in character and connection as in goals and medals—a void that, in Klopp’s view, football cannot truly fill.