Trent Alexander-Arnold pays tribute to 'close friend' Diogo Jota after Real Madrid win - 'He will never be forgotten'

Trent Alexander-Arnold said his former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota will "never be forgotten". Alexander Arnold and Jota played together at Liverpool for five years, until the England international's transfer to Madrid this summer. Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash on Thursday. Their funeral was held in Portugal on Saturday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold said his former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota will "never be forgotten" after Real Madrid’s FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final victory over Borussia Dortmund.

Alexander-Arnold and Jota spent five years together at Liverpool, before the latter’s summer transfer to Madrid.

Jota, 28, and his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva died in a car crash on Thursday morning, with their funeral being held in their native Portugal on Saturday. 

"I had to try to perform for the team and help them win the game, no matter how difficult it was," Alexander-Arnold told DAZN in the wake of the 3-2 victory over Dortmund.

"As hard as it was to do it, I had to push myself to focus on what my job and role was. I tried to do it as best as I could, but it was difficult and I am not going to lie about that.

"[Jota] was one of my close friends - and I am sure that's what he would have wanted me to do. 

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Video credit: SNTV

"I'm sure we would have had a laugh and joke about the assist as well. He was there with me, I am sure."

The England international described his former team-mate as "someone who lit up the room when he was in it".

He continued: "I shared the dressing room with him for five years - amazing memories on and off the pitch.

"It goes without saying he will never be forgotten by anyone. He will live long in all our memories for the amazing man and the player he was."

Alexander-Arnold and Jota played alongside one another for five years at Liverpool.

Image credit: Getty Images

On the football world’s response to the tragedy, Alexander Arnold added: "It’s very emotional and heartwarming to see the footballing world come together to show their love and support for [Jota], his brother and their family.

"I've been around him, his brother, his family, his amazing wife, his amazing parents and his amazing children. It's truly, truly heartbreaking to wake up to news like that. It's something you never expect."

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