Liverpool Football Club continues to provide professional counselling and grief-management support to players and staff navigating the ongoing psychological impact of the fatal car crash that killed Diogo Jota 13 months ago, according to an Anfield source familiar with the matter. The ongoing provision comes to light following recent public comments from midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai regarding the squad’s internal communication surrounding the tragedy.
Dominik Szoboszlai Reveals Squad’s Internal Silence Over Tragedy
In an interview published last month by France Football under the headline “I’ve Too Much Ego, It’s My Fuel,” Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai opened up about how Liverpool’s squad struggled to process the sudden loss of their teammate. Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, died in a July crash on a Spanish motorway.
“At the start of the season we used the trauma as a motivation, but that was very heavy to carry,” Szoboszlai told the magazine. The 25-year-old midfielder, named Liverpool’s official Player of the 2025–26 season, admitted that the players never formally discussed the loss as a group.
“Me, I played the season giving it my all because I told myself that’s what he would have wanted from each of us,” Szoboszlai said. “But it was really difficult since I believe everyone was saying to themselves: ‘How could something like this happen to someone like him?'”
The Hungary international emphasized the isolation felt within the dressing room during the initial months following the accident. “Each of us took this tragedy deep within himself, and I don’t know if that was a good thing, because none of us were able to express our feelings to the group,” Szoboszlai noted.
Did You Know?
Bournemouth was the first visiting team to play at Anfield in a competitive fixture following the tragic accident at the start of last season, a match overseen by head coach Andoni Iraola, who remains acutely aware of the emotional strain on the squad.
Club Response and Ongoing Mental Health Infrastructure
While Szoboszlai’s interview suggested a lack of collective processing, internal club sources push back on the idea that structural support was missing. According to an Anfield source familiar with the matter, Liverpool organized a comprehensive suite of group and individual counselling services on a voluntary basis immediately following the accident.
Access to specialist international grief counsellors formed a core part of the recovery framework established by club officials. The unexpected revelation from the midfielder’s interview—conducted in English by a French journalist—reportedly caught club hierarchy by surprise, though officials raised no objections to Szoboszlai sitting down for the feature in Budapest.
When approached by reporters for clarification on his comments, Szoboszlai declined further comment through his representative, stating he preferred to let the published interview stand.
Leadership and Squad Management Under Andoni Iraola
Iraola, whose Bournemouth side visited Anfield shortly after the tragedy unfolded last year, is described as acutely aware of the deep-seated emotional upheaval affecting personnel across the club.
Frequently Asked Questions
What support has Liverpool FC provided to players following the tragedy?
According to club sources, Liverpool organized voluntary group and individual counselling services, including access to specialist international grief counsellors, following the fatal accident.
What did Dominik Szoboszlai say about the team’s reaction?
In an interview with France Football, Szoboszlai stated that the squad never spoke collectively about the tragedy, with each player processing the loss internally.
Who is Liverpool’s current head coach?
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