Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the pre-season friendly match between Preston North End and Liverpool at Deepdale on July 13, 2025 in Preston, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)placeholder image
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the pre-season friendly match between Preston North End and Liverpool at Deepdale on July 13, 2025 in Preston, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Liverpool player ratings from the 3-1 win over Preston North End in a pre-season friendly at Deepdale.
Liverpool started their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 victory over Preston North End on an emotional afternoon following the death of Diogo Jota.
The Reds played their first game after the death of forward Jota, who scored 65 goals in 182 games for the club. Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car accident last week and the pair were commemorated before and throughout the Deepdale encounter.
Darwin Nunez paid tribute to his friend by copying Jota’s gamer celebration after netting in the second half, with Conor Bradley opening the scoring in the first period. After Nunez’s strike, Liam Lindsay reduced the arrears for Preston but Cody Gakpo restored the two-goal advantage late on.
Preston vs Liverpool match report
Liverpool were on the front foot for much of the first half. Federico Chiesa should have done better when set free on goal as he hesitated before shooting wide, while the lively Rio Ngumoha had an effort blocked.
But the breakthrough arrived on 33 minutes, with Bradley netting the first goal of Liverpool’s 2025-26 campaign. Chiesa’s cross was helped on by Dominik Szoboszlai and there was Bradley at the back post to find the far corner.
Head coach Arne Slot made 11 changes at half-time. And eight minutes after the restart, Liverpool were presented with a golden chance to double the lead when Jordan Storey’s poor backpass allowed Nunez to race towards goal and he kept his cool to finish beyond home goalkeeper Daniel Iversen.
Liverpool player ratings
Giorgi Mamardashvili - 7
Played one long ball that created an opening Chiesa should have done better with and wasn’t afraid to take out his team-mate Bradkey when punching a cross clear.
Conor Bradley - 8
Tried to get forward at every opportunity and tucked home with aplomb to break the deadlock.
Luca Stephenson - 8
Done really well in the first half. Tenacious defensively and played an excellent through ball for Ngumoha.
Joe Gomez - 7
Comfortable throughout and won everything in the air.
Kostas Tsimikas -7
Made an important clearance at the back post in the first half and was sound throughout.
Ryan Gravenberch - 7
Played with his usual guile and composure in the first half, with one piece of skill when twisting his way past his marker to launch an attack the highlight.
Trey Nyoni - 7
Kept things ticking when on the ball and fired an effort wide.
Mo Salah - 6
Didn’t see much of the ball, in truth, but gave Preston something to think about.
Dominik Szoboszlai - 7
Full of energy in the first half as he tried to get away from the Preston back line with deep rus/
Rio Nguomoha - 8
Put Preston on the back foot at every given opportunity. Had a shot blocked after rinsing a couple of defenders and played his part in the opener.
Federico Chiesa - 6
Too hesitant when he broke towards goal and had to pull the trigger before being challenged. Put in hard yards, though, and played a part in the opening goal.
Second half
Freddie Woodman - 6
Made one fine save to his left against his former club but was put under pressure by the home crowd every time he had the bal at his feet.
Jeremie Frimpong - 6
Didn’t have too many chances to attack but displayed his pace when getting back to stop Daniel Jebbison in his tracks.
Amara Nallo - 6
Started off a little shaky but started to settle down.
Andy Robertson - 7
Got beaten too easily on one occasion but did well enough as a makeshift centre-back.
Milos Kerkez - 8
Showed some encouraging signs on his debut. Linked well with Cody Gakpo, tried to get forward when he could and made one outstanding tackle.
Wataru Endo -
Curtis Jones - 7
Shifted the ball around with ease in the midfield and had a powerful effort well held.
Ben Doak - 7
Burst away from his marker a couple of times and had a penalty appeal turned down.
Lewis Koumas - 6
Floated around in the No.10 position and produced one dangerous cutback from the byline.
Cody Gakpo - 8
Was a menace for Preston’s defence throughout and took his goal really well.
Darwin Nunez - 7
Made no mistake when gifted with a golden chance and paid tribute to Jota with his celebration. It’s unlikely that free-kick duties will be going his way, though, as he blazed one well over from around 25 yard.
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