Jurgen Klopp has revealed he still has not come to terms with the death of former Liverpool star Diogo Jota, who died aged just 28 in a car crash in the summer of 2025, weeks after winning the Premier League title under Klopp.
In a new biography titled Diogo Jota: Forever In Our Hearts (Reach Sport, £22), Klopp recalls how he knew he had to sign Jota after watching him play for Wolves, and how he has struggled to process the loss of one of the most popular members of his Liverpool squad.
Klopp's first impression of Jota
Describing the moment he decided to pursue Jota, Klopp said: "I was watching a Wolves match. When Diogo drifted to the left, using his physicality, showing refined technique and tremendous power. I immediately thought: 'I want this player'."
He added that it was a "gut feeling" he could usually rely on, and that certain actions in a footballer can reveal a great deal about the person. Klopp explained that normally he works with scouts and sporting directors to identify targets, but in Jota's case, he took the initiative and asked for material to be compiled on the player.
"We needed versatile players, and Diogo could play in several positions. And he had the right attitude and mentality for a club like Liverpool," Klopp said.
Struggling to cope with the loss
Klopp admitted he still finds it difficult to speak about the death of Jota, who was a husband and father of three. "I'm 58 years old. I know that people die, that this is part of life," he said. "But when I heard about Diogo's accident, I was in shock and I couldn't even speak. I didn't ask how, I didn't ask where; I just stopped what I was doing and tried to come to terms with it. To this day, I must admit, I still haven't really managed to do that."
He also recalled how his assistant Danielle asked if he would contribute to the book, and he agreed because he wanted to talk about Jota. However, during the conversation, he realised he was not ready. "I've spent most of my life talking, but now I'm just hanging by a thread, lost for words – which is not at all normal. It's crazy…"
The biography is available now, with all Liverpool FC profits from sales funding a grassroots football programme established in Jota's name, supporting the LFC Foundation.
