Liverpool kicked off their 2025/26 pre-season campaign with a poignant 3-1 victory over Preston North End at Deepdale on July 13, 2025. The friendly match, while competitive on the surface, was deeply overshadowed by the recent tragic loss of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a car accident earlier that month. This game marked Liverpool’s first outing since the heartbreaking incident, turning the pitch into a stage for remembrance as much as for football.
The atmosphere at Deepdale was charged with emotion. Fans and players alike paid tribute to the late Jota and Silva, with both teams donning black armbands and the stadium adorned with red No. 20 shirts, Jota’s number, prominently displayed throughout the stands. A minute’s silence preceded the kickoff, followed by an emotional rendition of Liverpool’s anthem "You’ll Never Walk Alone," performed by Claudia Rose Maguire, wife of former Preston player Sean Maguire. Preston’s club song "Can’t Help Falling In Love With You" was also sung, and Preston captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath in front of the visiting fans, adding to the solemnity of the occasion.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking ahead of the match, acknowledged the difficulty of moving forward after such a tragedy. "Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened," Slot said. "But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not." He encouraged his players to handle their grief by being true to themselves, just as Jota was in life. "Jota was always himself, it didn’t matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself. So let us try to be ourselves as well. If we want to laugh we laugh; if we want to cry we’re going to cry. 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," Slot explained.
The team lineup for this emotionally charged fixture reflected a blend of youth and experience. Giorgi Mamardashvili, the £29 million goalkeeper signed from Valencia in 2024 who spent last season on loan, made his Liverpool debut between the sticks. Defenders Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Luca Stephenson, and Kostas Tsimikas formed the backline. The midfield trio consisted of Ryan Gravenberch, Trey Nyoni, and Dominik Szoboszlai, while the attack featured Mohamed Salah, Federico Chiesa, and young forward Rio Ngumoha.
Notably absent was Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s record-breaking £116 million signing from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz did not feature in the squad, sparking concern among fans. However, according to the Liverpool Echo, Wirtz, alongside several other senior players including captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Alexis Mac Allister, and Luis Diaz, were undergoing individual training sessions at the Kirkby training ground. This cautious approach was attributed to their recent international duties and the need to ease players back into full fitness without risking injury, especially following a summer of upheaval.
Other new summer signings Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Freddie Woodman, and Armin Pesc were named on the bench, ready to make their presence felt as the season approaches. Additionally, young talents such as Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton were absent due to extended breaks following their successful campaigns with England’s Under-21 team.
The match itself was a showcase of Liverpool’s depth and resilience under difficult circumstances. Liverpool controlled much of the play, eventually securing a 3-1 win. Cody Gakpo, who came off the bench, scored the third goal in the 88th minute, sealing the victory after Preston’s Liam Lindsay had pulled one back in the 83rd minute. The Shankly Stand frequently rose to its feet in song for Jota throughout the game, underscoring the emotional weight carried by the players and supporters alike.
Arne Slot’s decision to proceed with the match was met with understanding from players and staff, who had been given time off after attending the funeral of Jota and Silva in Portugal. The fixture served as a poignant moment of catharsis, allowing the team and fans to come together in tribute while also looking ahead to the challenges of the new season.
Beyond the pitch, Liverpool announced that Jota’s No. 20 shirt will be retired at all levels within the club, a lasting tribute to the Portuguese forward who was not only a Premier League champion but also a champion for his family and country. Slot reflected on Jota’s legacy, saying, "We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go. To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done… I think what I take comfort in (is that) in the last month of his life he was a champion in everything. A champion for his family, which is the main and most important thing, because he got married. A champion for his country because he won the Nations League, (with) a country that he cared about so much, because he also wore the flag when we had celebrations. And of course a champion for us by winning the Premier League."
As Liverpool prepares for the upcoming season, the blend of new signings, emerging talents, and established stars will be crucial in navigating both the emotional aftermath and the competitive demands ahead. The pre-season is just beginning, and while the shadow of loss lingers, the spirit of unity and resilience shines through.
Fans can expect Florian Wirtz to gradually integrate into the squad as he completes his individual training regimen, with the club taking no chances on their marquee signing’s fitness. Meanwhile, the rest of the Liverpool squad will continue to balance honoring their late teammate’s memory with the pursuit of new triumphs on the pitch.
Sunday’s match at Deepdale was more than a friendly; it was a heartfelt tribute and a testament to the enduring spirit of Liverpool Football Club. The Reds have shown that even in the face of profound tragedy, football can unite and inspire, setting the stage for a season where memories and ambitions intertwine.
