Liverpool Pays Tribute to Jota in Preseason Opener

Liverpool began their pre-season with an emotional friendly against Preston North End, their first match since the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. A tribute was paid to Jota with the retirement of his No.20 shirt, a minute's silence, and both teams wearing black armbands. Club-record signing Florian Wirtz was absent, along with Virgil van Dijk and other senior players, as they took part in individual training sessions to manage fitness after a disrupted pre-season schedule. New goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made his debut, while summer signings Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Armin Pecsi, and Freddie Woodman were on the bench. Manager Arne Slot encouraged the team to honor Jota's legacy on and off the pitch. The match was considered secondary to the mourning and tributes.