DEEPDALE, PRESTON // With Diogo Jota's song regularly getting an airing in the Liverpool away end, the Reds won their first match of the summer against Preston North End by three goals to one.
Conor Bradley opened the scoring in the first half while Rio Ngumoha was a real livewire in possession down the left flank. Darwin Nunez made it 2-0 in the second half and celebrated with Jota's PlayStation pose. Liam Lindsay pulled one back from a corner but Liverpool was able to hold on for the win.
It was always going to be a day with emotion and difficulty, but the Reds' pre-season has begun. Here are the four things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.
Diogo Jota tributes
Liverpool and Preston North End came together to pay their respects to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva ahead of kick-off in the Reds' first pre-season friendly of the summer.
In emotional scenes, You'll Never Walk Alone was sung ahead of the game kicking off. Each player wore a black armband in recognition of Jota and Silva, with everyone inside the ground coming together for a poignant moment.
A wreath was laid in front of the Liverpool away end and a minute’s silence was observed in Jota and Silva’s memory, with digital tributes displayed on screens pitchside.
During the game, the Jota song was regularly belted out in the away end, and Nunez did his celebration when he scored. It was never going to be easy, but Liverpool has handled the situation as well as it could have.
New signings handed a chance
Giorgi Mamardashvili was in the starting XI and while he didn't have much to do in terms of saves, he took no chances with his feet. It was a solid opening to his Liverpool career.
Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong both looked lively at times, and both showed what they can do on the dribble, with the ball at their feet. Both are rapid, which is exciting, and they will add strong competition on both sides of the Liverpool defense. Freddie Woodman made his debut, but we won't be seeing him too often.
Florian Wirtz wasn't involved, presumably because he, like Virgil van Dijk, played at the UEFA Nations League this summer. There is no rush for either to come back into the side, as a result. They and the likes of Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister were held back and trained in Kirkby.
Darwin Nunez scores
Nunez scored, and he was not the only player involved here who might not be at Anfield by the time the Reds kick off the new season against Bournemouth in the middle of next month.
Ben Doak is another who has interest from elsewhere, while it was assumed by many that Federico Chiesa would be heading back to Italy. In time, their futures will be worked out.
In the meantime, they might as well get as fit as possible during the summer period. In the event that good offers don't come in for them, there is no guarantee that they will be leaving. As they showed here in glimpses, they still have quality.
Young players impress
Rio Ngumoha was hugely impressive early in the game, while Trey Nyoni is so classy in possession. The pair did their reputations no harm and you can see why it was they who were trusted to be in from the off.
Luca Stephenson is naturally a midfielder, but he slotted in at the back very well. He should get a good loan move at the very least next season. He is clearly going to have a career somewhere.
Amara Nallo and Lewis Koumas came on in the second half and didn't make as much of a strong impression, but neither was particularly poor. Overall, a solid enough day all round.