Andy Robertson believes that Liverpool players may never come about the death of teammate Diogo Jota.
The football world was shocked when Jota and his brother Andre Silva both were killed in a car in July.
Robertson had considered his future in Liverpool in the summer, but all his worries became insignificant when he heard the news about Jota, who was 28 at the time of his death.
The 31-year-old left back said: “It was the hardest thing we ever go through.
“It was such a surprise, such a shock. It was primarily devastating for his family, but also destroyed for us as a group of boys.
“Football, I don’t think someone can care less for football. When things like that happen, life spends about what is important, such as spending time spending time with your children because you never know what’s around the corner.
“Like I said, it’s the hardest that we’ll ever go through. Losing one of my close friends, for me, was extremely difficult.
“It is something that we probably never happen to, but it is something we have to wear with us.
“We will bear the memories we have from our time with him. And as long as we keep doing that, he will always be in our minds and he will always be in our hearts.
“That is all we can do.
“It had no influence on my decision. The decision was already made before the tragedy, but at that time I knew the club needed me.
“I know that I am one of the leaders in the team and I am now clearly made vice-captain.
“It will take a lot this season. I know that football was irrelevant, but if you take football out, even if boys in the dressing room we all need help during the season.
“We have already had difficult moments in terms of the first time for fans, who have to go to the funeral of your teammate, which is absolutely madness to even say, and everything else that followed afterwards.
“I know that the leaders in that dressing room have a big task to do this season in terms of trying to help everyone as a club and even Diogo’s family because of this massive difficult moment.
“It will not be easier, but perhaps we can anesthetize the pain a little as time passes. It is up to leaders to try to guide us through it.”
After having a regular starter in Liverpool since the signing of Hull City in 2017, Robertson has lost his place in Liverpool by following the arrival of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth and he admits that it has been “difficult for various reasons”.
He said: “I am used to playing almost every game.
“I had for eight years in Liverpool, where – apart from the beginning – I have always been a starter.
“I have always played. Of course I found this season in the first few games on the couch.
“But I had time to think about what I wanted in the summer. I made a decision and I still believe that if I keep doing what I do, I play a lot of games for club and country.”
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