Liverpool pay tribute to Diogo Jota in first match since his death
Liverpool beat Preston North End 3-1 in a friendly, in the club's first match since the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Liverpool paid tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in their first match since the passing of the 28-year-old forward.
Jota and Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain, which took place shortly after midnight local time on July 3 in the province of Zamora.
Arne Slot's team subsequently delayed their return for pre-season, but they got their preparations for 2025-26 underway in a friendly against Preston North End on Sunday.
Ahead of kick-off, a rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' echoed around Deepdale, with Preston captain Ben Whiteman laying a wreath in front of the Liverpool supporters.
Players then emerged from the tunnel, led by captains Mohamed Salah and Whiteman, as supporters held up various flags and banners while singing Jota's name.
A moment of silence in remembrance of Jota and Silva was then held before kick-off, with the crowd also standing to applaud the pair as the game ticked into the 20th minute.
On the pitch, the Reds emerged 3-1 victors, with Conor Bradley's goal in the 33rd minute opening the scoring as he finished past Daniel Iversen from close range.
Darwin Nunez doubled Liverpool's lead eight minutes after the break, before paying tribute to Jota by performing two of his team-mate's iconic celebrations.
Preston reduced the deficit through Liam Lindsay, but Cody Gakpo concluded the scoring two minutes from time, following Nunez in remembering Jota with his celebration.
The official match programme also featured tributes to Jota and his brother.
Liverpool also confirmed earlier this week that they would retire the number 20 shirt across all the club's teams, including the women's and academy sides.
"If we want to laugh, we laugh; if we want to cry, we're going to cry," Slot said ahead of Liverpool's win at Deepdale.
"If they want to train, they can train, if they don't want to train, they can not train. But be yourself, don't think you have to be different than your emotions tell you."
On the decision to retire Jota's number, Slot added: "We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.
"Maybe especially in difficult moments, because of what I just said.
"But in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts. To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done."
