{"id":246772,"date":"2025-07-08T01:51:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T01:51:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/246772\/"},"modified":"2025-07-08T01:51:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T01:51:20","slug":"what-graham-potter-did-for-late-liverpool-star-diogo-jota-on-west-hams-first-day-back-was-pure-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/246772\/","title":{"rendered":"What Graham Potter did for late Liverpool star Diogo Jota on West Ham’s first day back was pure class"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Graham Potter made a touching gesture for late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota during West Ham\u2019s first day back at pre-season training.<\/strong><\/p>\n

West Ham United<\/a> boss Graham Potter<\/a> welcomed his players back for pre-season training at Rush Green<\/a> with a depleted squad.<\/p>\n

It comes just days after tragic news at Liverpool rocked the football world.<\/p>\n

Reds ace Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash that sent shockwaves of sorrow across the game.<\/p>\n

The Lamborghini Liverpool\u2019s number 20 was travelling in crashed, killing 28-year-old newly-wed father-of-three Jota and his younger brother.<\/p>\n

The scenes struck a chord with West Ham fans after the crash which Michail Antonio has admitted could have claimed his life back in December.<\/p>\n

Antonio\u2019s Ferrari came off the road in terrible weather at Epping Forest and he suffered a broken leg in four places.<\/p>\n

But while Antonio admits he counts his blessings every day to have survived, Liverpool are mourning the loss of their forward.<\/p>\n

The Hammers have witnessed how the football world rallies around in times of difficulty and tragedy.<\/p>\n

West Ham responded in kind as Liverpool grieve for Jota.<\/p>\n

\"TributesPhoto by Andrew Powell\/Liverpool FC via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Irons put out a message of condolence after the confirmation of Jota\u2019s untimely death.<\/p>\n

West Ham\u2019s players, including one of Jota\u2019s old teammates, paid their tributes too<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now the club\u2019s manager has arranged his own touching tribute to Liverpool\u2019s fallen hero.<\/p>\n

What Potter did for late Liverpool star Jota on West Ham\u2019s first day back was pure class.<\/p>\n

Potter showed his ruthless side released four veteran West Ham players this summer.<\/p>\n

Loan players Carlos Soler and Evan Ferguson then joined Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings in departing the London Stadium.<\/p>\n

What Potter did for Jota on West Ham\u2019s first day was pure class<\/p>\n

Antonio\u2019s future remains uncertain after talks over a new deal hit an impasse. <\/p>\n

But the Hammers have allowed Antonio to continue to use the club\u2019s facilities until his future is settled one way or another.<\/p>\n

A number of international players were also not back for pre-season training having been given extended breaks.<\/p>\n

So there were a number of familiar faces missing \u2013 although loanees such as Nayef Aguerd, Maxwel Cornet, George Earthy and Freddie Potts returned to bump up the numbers.<\/p>\n

\"DiogoPhoto by Liverpool FC\/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesPotter arranges Jota tribute at West Ham\u2019s Rush Green<\/p>\n

The entire football world has been showing its respects towards Jota and Liverpool.<\/p>\n

And Potter made a classy move as the football world mourns a tragic loss, with the Hammers boss showing the kind of leadership and empathy fans of both West Ham and Liverpool will be proud of.<\/p>\n

Rush Green was described by West Ham as a \u2018hive of activity\u2019 with the first-team squad\u00a0returning ahead of the 2025\/26 Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n

The players were put through medical testing followed by a first training session on the pitches in the afternoon.<\/p>\n

But before taking to the pitches, Potter asked the Hammers squad and staff to gather for a minute\u2019s silence in memory of Liverpool and Portugal winger Jota and his brother and fellow footballer Andre Silva following their desperately tragic passing.<\/p>\n

The jury may still be out on Potter at West Ham heading into next season.<\/p>\n

But the 50-year-old certainly has the right morals and priorities to be a Hammer after his respectful gesture.<\/p>\n

\n

Pictures on West Ham\u2019s website and social media show the squad gathering in a circle with their heads bowed for the sombre moment.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n