Cody Gakpo brought an emotional tribute to the late Diogo Jota while Liverpool is preparing to play their first game in Anfield since the early death of the Portuguese.
On July 3, Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, died when their car crashed in North Spain in the early hours.
The 28-year-old attacker was recently married to his childhood love during a ceremony in his native Portugal after a campaign with great in trophy-winning successes for both club and country.
After the incident, Liverpool announced that Jota's No 20 would immediately retire for all levels after consultation with his widow and his family.
While the side of Arne Slot is preparing to organize Athletic Bilbao in their last pre-season friendly Gakpo, thinking about the heartache that he and his teammates have suffered.
“Yes, it has been very difficult,” the Dutchman told the athletics.
'Many of us were still on vacation when the situation took place. We came together as quickly as possible as a team and as a club.
'We tried to be there as much as possible at that time for the family and together as a team to help wherever we could.
“We are still trying to do that, and everyone is still a little more pressure behind the scenes than what is in the news, reaching and helping as much as possible.”
Both supporters and players have left a tribute to Jota at a memorial outside of Anfield.
There are plans for a permanent sculpture to be set up on the ground in honor of Jota, while Liverpool will have the expression 'Forever 20' on the kit of each player for the duration of the coming campaign.
“It's the least we can do,” Gakpo added.
'Of course he was an excellent player, but as a person he was even more violent. He was good with everyone.
'Everyone loved him, and that is what you saw with how everyone reacted.
'So yes, it is more that we want to remember who he was for us. Not as a player, because the player we can see at the highlights on YouTube, but more than the person he was.
'He will be missed this season, but he will also be missed by everyone in this team and in this club, and by his family, for the rest of our lives. We will not forget him. '
After the visit of Bilbao on Monday evening, Liverpool will then be in action when they are confronted on Sunday opposite Crystal Palace in the Community Shield in Wembley.
The club will then start their Premier League title defense at home on 15 August of Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth.