Liverpool have paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in their opening pre-season friendly against Preston.
The game is the first time that Arne Slot’s team have taken to the pitch since the tragic death of Jota, 28, and his brother, 25, on July 3 in a car crash in Spain.
Players from both Liverpool and Preston gathered around the centre circle before kick-off in the pre-season friendly, where an immaculately served minute’s silence held prior to kick-off.
Mohamed Salah captained Liverpool on the solemn occasion, while club captain Virgil van Dijk and Jota’s close friend Andrew Robertson were among those in the stands despite the former not being in the squad for the match.
The minute’s silence completed a series of tributes prior to the match.
Liverpool’s club anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was sung before kick-off, while Preston’s club captain Benjamin Whiteman carried a wreath which he placed in front of the away end as part of the host’s tribute.
Liverpool paid tribute to Diogo Jota ahead of their pre-season friendly against Preston
Players and supporters observed a minute’s silence before the pre-season friendly
Liverpool and Preston held a minute’s silence in honour of Jota and his brother pre-match
Preston captain Ben Whiteman place a wreath in front of Liverpool fans ahead of the match
Liverpool supporters had attended the pre-season friendly with their own Jota tributes
One supporter was seen reading the 16-page programme produced by Preston for the match
Supporters were pictured in the stands with a flag including the message ‘YNWA Diogo’
Players from both teams wore black armbands, while digital tributes were shown on screens around the ground.
A black and white image of Jota holding the Premier League trophy featured on the cover of a 16-page commemorative matchday programme at Deepdale.
Merchandise stalls sold scarves and flags bearing Jota’s name.
Liverpool supporters had sung Jota’s song in the build-up to the match, with a vocal rendition also taking place in the 20th minute of the match in tribute.
Thousands of supporters were seen brandishing tributes to Jota in the stands, with Jota’s 20 shirt worn by numerous fans.
Liverpool confirmed this week that they have retired the No 20 shirt which Jota wore throughout his time at Anfield.
Speaking in an interview ahead of the game, Slot said that Liverpool will always carry Jota with them.
Slot told the club’s official website: ‘We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.
Tributes to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva were displayed on digital screens during the match
Another supporter displayed a flag featuring Jota celebrating a goal for Liverpool
Scarves bearing Jota’s name were sold on merchandise stalls ahead of the game at Deepdale
Flags paying tribute to Jota are seen on display prior to the game between Liverpool and Preston
Jota and his brother Andre, 26, died in a car crash on July 3 whilst driving in the north west of Spain
Arne Slot paid tribute to Jota in his interview ahead of the game against Preston
Slot admitted it has been difficult to focus on football in the wake of Jota’s death
‘Maybe especially in difficult moments because of what I just said. But in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts.
‘To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done.’
Slot added that Liverpool will be inspired by Jota with regards to their actions going forward.
He said: ‘Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened.
‘But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not.
‘What I’ve said to the players, I can say it here as well. It’s very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate.
‘What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate [for] what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there’s a wrong decision?
‘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.
Liverpool announced this week that the No20 shirt at the club will be retired in memory of Jota
‘So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh; if we want to cry we’re going to cry. If they want to train they can train, if they don’t want to train they can not train.
‘But be yourself, don’t think you have to be different than your emotions tell you.’
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and made 182 appearances for the Reds, while he scored 65 goals and provided 26 assists.
Last season Jota was part of the Liverpool team which won the Premier League title. He also previously won the FA Cup and two League Cups.
