Liverpool will play a match for the first time since the heartbreaking death of Diogo Jota last week as the Reds travel to Preston with tributes planned before kick-off
Diogo Jota has continued to be remembered since his passing
Diogo Jota has continued to be remembered since his passing
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Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool take on on Sunday afternoon in what is set to be an emotional affair as the Reds take to the pitch for the first time since the tragic passing of .
It is just over a week since the Portuguese star lost his life in a car accident with the club mourning his death. There has been an outpouring of emotion but 's pre-season preparations begin with a short trip to Deepdale.
Jota and his brother Andre will be honoured ahead of kick-off as singer Claudia Rose Maguire is set to perform renditions of Elvis Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ and Liverpool anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ shortly before 3pm.
Representatives from Liverpool and Preston will lay wreaths in front of the away end, known as the Bill Shankly Kop. The crowd at Deepdale will also observe a minute’s silence before kick-off and both sides will wear black armbands.
We'll keep you across the tributes and the match at Preston throughout the afternoon
How will Liverpool pay tribute to Jota?
It's an important moment for Liverpool as they take to the pitch for the first time since the horrific tragedy and the club want to pay their respects in the right way.
Liverpool have already announced how they will pay tribute to Jota ahead of the game as they look to make a moving gesture towards their former player:
A rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone will be played
Preston will lay down a wreath by the away supporters
A minute's silence will be observed with digital tributes displayed on screens
Both sets of players to wear black armbands
A special matchday programme has been created with tributes to Jota and Andre
Diogo Jota died in a car crash last Thursday
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Image:
CameraSport via Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot gave a moving tribute to Jota today and spoke a bit about how they would go into their first game since his passing, with the players all still in mourning.
"Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened," he said. "It’s very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate. Can we train again? Can we laugh again? And I’ve said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was.
"And what I meant with that is that 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."
No 20 retired for Jota
Liverpool have retired the No 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota. The Reds made the gesture for the first time in the club’s history as the number will now remain the Portuguese forward’s forever.
The significant gesture will see the shirt number retired at all levels of the club - including the men’s senior side, women’s, U21s and academy level.
Since the news of Diogo Jota's death the Reds have rallied together to show their support.
An emotional funeral was held and flowers have continued to be laid down by all those associated with the Reds.
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Image:
PETER POWELL/EPA/Shutterstock)
We're in for an emotional one as Liverpool play for the first time since the tragic death of Diogo Jota.
Stay tuned as we keep you across the game where the No 20 will be remembered.
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Image:
PA)