Liverpool boss Arne Slot applauds the travelling fans
IMAGE CREDITS: GETTY IMAGES
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom sent a heartfelt message to Liverpool and Arne Slot after Sunday’s emotional pre-season friendly at Deepdale.
The decision to proceed with the game was made after a consultation involving players and staff at the start of last week.
It marked the first match since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, who lost their lives last week.
Liverpool fielded two separate XIs in each half, with the first-half line-up featuring Giorgi Mamardashvili and the second-half team including Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez as well as Freddie Woodman.
Conor Bradley opened the scoring for the Premier League champions after the half-hour mark before Darwin Nunez made it 2-0 in the early stages of the second period.
Cody Gakpo added a third late on, after Liam Lindsay had reduced the deficit for Preston.
Speaking after the game, Heckingbottom thanked Arne Slot and the Reds for the friendly, which went ahead as planned.
“The eyes of the football world were on us and we wanted to represent ourselves, and the wider football world, in the correct way and pay our respects in the correct way,” Heckingbottom said.
“I hope that we were able to do that and I hope that came across to everyone affected.
“I’m proud of everyone. I thanked Arne (Slot) for coming to the game. I hope that this has begun their healing process, if you like.
“I hope that they feel better for having that game and it’s a step closer to where they need to get themselves to, without a doubt. But I’m proud of everyone who’s been involved in the planning of this.
“The fans, the behaviour, the way everyone showed their respect and also the players and staff. I felt we were representing more than ourselves today. It’s difficult.
“It’s a game of football and, listen, I’ll credit both sets of players, both sets of staff. It was a proper game when the whistle went and you’ve got to do that.
“We don’t want to risk injuries. We want to pay our respects in the right way. You’ve got to do it properly but it’s tough, yeah. I can’t imagine how it is for the staff, players and families affected.
“I didn’t come out because I didn’t want to see that. But, yes, I’m pleased with how everyone represented us and the wider football world.
“It puts things into perspective about life and football in general. That was my first conversation with the players. I’ll not forget the morning when we saw the news.
“The whole training ground stopped. We went out, got everyone together and just reminded everyone that people are always moaning, things going against them, things aren’t right.
“Then you see news like that, it puts things into perspective. I think that’s the message. It reminds everyone how fragile life is, but we’re lucky enough to play a fantastic game that we all love.
“Diogo, believe me having been against him a few times, was that type of player as well. The game was played in the right way for him, for everyone involved.”
Read more: Liverpool summer signings react after debuts against Preston North End
How Liverpool debutants fared in pre-season win at Preston
Kostas Tsimikas drops hint about his future with social media post
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.