Liverpool returned to the pitch for the first time since the heartbreaking loss of their former forward Diogo Jota, in a preseason opener that ended in a 3-1 win over Preston North End in Deepdale.
The Reds were visibly emotional ahead of kickoff, as they paid tribute not just to Jota but also to his younger brother, André, with both tragically passing away in an accident in Spain earlier this month.
In a powerful gesture of loyalty and respect, the club announced the retirement of the No. 20 shirt worn by Jota, and several reports have confirmed the club’s intent to continue paying out the remainder of his contract, which runs until the summer of 2027.
Since the news broke, Liverpool’s social media channels went quiet, sharing only tribute-related content, until Sunday, when they faced Preston in their preseason curtain-raiser.
During that time, new signing Giorgi Mamardashvili was quietly integrated into the squad, with no official unveiling until his inclusion in the matchday squad.
A minute silence was observed in memory of the two brothers prior to kickoff, with Deepdale standing united in remembrance.
Emotional Liverpool Show Class in Jota’s Memory
Conor Bradley opened the scoring just past the half-hour mark, smashing home a Szoboszlai cutback to break Preston’s resistance. The right-back, who signed a contract extension earlier in the summer, displayed great composure to beat a crowded goal mouth.
The lead was doubled eight minutes after the restart through Darwin Nunez, who fired a shot past the goalkeeper from inside of the box, and wheeled away in Jota’s celebration, before adding his iconic FIFA goal celebration, using his fingers as if he holds a game controller.
Liam Lindsay pulled one back for the hosts late on, but Cody Gakpo restored Liverpool’s two-goal cushion two minutes from time to seal a composed and cathartic victory.
Emotional scene followed at full-time as both teams connected with the fans, who have also come out in their thousands to display their tribute to the fallen heroes.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
