Preston vs. Liverpool: tributes, squad, and key details, all you need to know ahead of Reds’ emotional pre-season opener.
Liverpool kick off their pre-season with an emotional friendly against Preston at Deepdale on Sunday, July 13 (3 pm BST). This will be their first fixture since the tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre.
Tributes to Jota and Andre will take centre stage before kickoff. Preston have urged fans to be seated by 2.45 pm for a poignant musical tribute by Claudia Rose Maguire, who will sing Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
Wreaths will be laid by club representatives—likely including Virgil van Dijk — at the Bill Shankly Kop. A minute’s silence, pitchside LED messages, black armbands, and a special matchday programme will all honour the late Jota and his brother.
New signings on show
This fixture could offer fans a first look at five summer signings. Star acquisition Florian Wirtz headlines the list, having joined for a British record fee of £116 million.
Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and former Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman may also feature.
Frimpong and Kerkez are vying to cement their places at full-back, potentially challenging Conor Bradley and Andy Robertson.
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Potential final appearances?
Speculation surrounds the futures of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, linked with Bayern Munich and Napoli, respectively.
Federico Chiesa and James McConnell also face uncertainty. Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton return following their European U21 triumph, but are linked with possible moves away.
Youngsters in focus: With Stefan Bajcetic still recovering from hamstring surgery, Ben Doak and Jayden Danns aim to impress and secure their Liverpool futures during pre-season.
No new kit yet: Liverpool will wear the 2024/25 Nike kit, as the Adidas deal begins in August. The new strip will debut after the Asian tour.
Upcoming friendlies: After Preston, the Reds face AC Milan (July 26) in Hong Kong and Yokohama FM (July 30) in Japan.
They return to Anfield on August 4 for a double-header vs. Athletic Bilbao before meeting Crystal Palace in the Community Shield (August 10). The Premier League campaign begins at home to Bournemouth (August 15).
Preston update: Preston finished 20th in the Championship last season and have brought in Brighton’s Odeluga Offiah after losing Woodman to Liverpool.
Broadcast details: The match will be live on ITV1 and LFCTV from 2.30pm.
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