Liverpool have confirmed they will go ahead with their pre-season opener against Preston this weekend.
The club made the call after holding talks with players and staff, following the heartbreaking death of forward Diogo Jota.
Jota died in a car crash in northern Spain last Thursday while travelling with his brother, Andre Silva, who also lost his life.
The tragedy has deeply affected the team. Several players, along with club officials, attended the funeral in Portugal before pre-season training began this week.
Despite the heavy mood, Liverpool felt it was important to play the match as a way to honour Jota’s memory.
The friendly will go ahead as planned, with tributes set to be paid before kickoff.
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When is Liverpool vs. Preston pre-season friendly?
The match is scheduled for Sunday, July 14 at 3 p.m. BST (7:30 p.m. IST/10 a.m. ET) at Deepdale, Preston’s home ground.
It will be shown live on ITV1 in the UK, a broadcast deal arranged before Jota’s passing. Now, ITV has announced it to be on free-to-air TV in the UK.
Liverpool vs Preston pre-season: Free Broadcast
It won’t be just another summer warm-up. The game now carries a much deeper meaning.
It’s expected to be a sombre afternoon, with fans, players, and staff all remembering Liverpool’s No. 20.
New signings like Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Giorgi Mamardashvili may get their first taste of action in a Liverpool shirt. Frimpong was already seen at the AXA Training Centre, getting ready for the season ahead.
But not everyone will feature. Youngsters Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton are still on extended leave after winning the U21 Euros with England.
Mohamed Salah summed up the team’s heartbreak with a touching tribute:
“Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break.”
The Reds will now look to carry Jota’s spirit with them as they begin a new chapter under a cloud of grief — but with hope of healing through football.
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