Preston North End will host Liverpool in the Reds’ first warm-up game of the preseason this weekend, and the game carries more importance than usual.
After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Preston could have a major issue in the 2025/26 season.
The Lancashire side were also dealt a transfer blow earlier this week, with Johnny Kenny expressing his desire to stay at Scottish Premiership side Celtic, scuppering their chance of bringing him onboard.
Despite all this, PNE are set to play a heartfelt part in Liverpool’s tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva on Sunday.
The Liverpool player died last week alongside his brother in a tragic car crash in Spain.
The friendly, which is set to kick off at 3 pm, was given the go-ahead earlier this week following extensive talks between the clubs.
Liverpool’s meeting with Preston will be their first outing since, and the two clubs have now detailed their tributes to Diogo and Andre.
In light of this, a special request has been made to the PNE fans.
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Preston North End fans to play a part in Liverpool tribute
Preston have asked all supporters to be in their seats by 2.45 pm as singer Claudia Rose Maguire will sing renditions of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling In Love and Liverpool anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Representatives of Preston and Liverpool will lay wreaths in front of the away end.
Deepdale will also observe a minute’s silence before kickoff, while tributes will be displayed on the big screen and pitchside LEDs.
Both Liverpool and Preston players will wear black armbands to mark the loss of Jota and his younger brother.
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How to tune in and watch the game
The club have also announced that the game will be broadcast live worldwide on their digital streaming platform All Red Video, along with terrestrial channel ITV1 in the UK.
Liverpool’s pre-match buildup will be free-to-air on the club’s social media channels and YouTube, but will cut off at kickoff, due to the rights restrictions around the friendly.
Preston have produced a free special edition of their matchday programme in tribute to Diogo and Andre, with further tributes expected within the home and away support throughout.
Speaking after laying flowers at Jota’s memorial site outside Anfield earlier this week, Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan explained that longer-term tributes will be made “at the appropriate time.”