Liverpool show touching tribute to Diogo Jota at Preston North End in Slot’s first pre-season friendly

National World - LocalTV

Arne Slot had challenged his grieving players to honour Diogo Jota’s memory as they began the difficult process of returning to football. On Sunday, at Deepdale, that process started. Liverpool’s next game, at Anfield against Athletic Bilbao on August 4, will likely be even more emotional. But after a seven-minute mutual applause at full-time, Slot could not have asked for more from such a difficult day.

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00:00Arne Schlott had challenged his grieving players to honour Diogo Jota's memory as they began the difficult process of returning to football.

00:10On Sunday at Deepdale, that process started.

00:14The Premier League champions opened pre-season with a 3-1 win over Championship side Preston Northend.

00:21But football was a secondary concern.

00:24The match marked the team's first appearance since Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain 10 days earlier.

00:34Just seven weeks earlier, Jota had made his final Liverpool appearance during their title-winning campaign.

00:41On Sunday, mourning continued in front of a near-packed-out capacity.

00:46At the 20th minute mark, Jota's shirt number, a tribute, began and lasted 10 minutes.

00:51Liverpool supporters, joined by Preston fans, sang in his honour, culminating in a standing ovation that swept across the entire ground.

01:00Captain Mohamed Salah looked visibly emotional, holding his head in his hands, a powerful image that captured the mood of the afternoon.

01:09A 15-minute pre-match tribute featured iconic electronic boards reading,

01:13Rest in Peace Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, you'll never walk alone.

01:17Irish singer Claudia Rose Maguire, wife of former Preston striker Sean Maguire, led the anthem.

01:25The loudest cheer came when Darwin Nunez scored and mimicked Jota's trademark gamer celebration.

01:31It was a touching gesture that embodies Schlott's message to the squad earlier that morning.

01:36Nothing seems important if we think that what has happened, Schlott told the club website.

01:43Maybe the best thing is to act how Jota was, always himself and with everyone.

01:49Schlott rotated his squad, fielding different 11s in each half.

01:53New signings Jorio Mamashili, Freddie Woodman, Milos Kerkhez and Jeremy Frimpong all made debuts.

02:00Liverpool's next game at Anfield against Atletico Bilbao on August 4th will likely be more emotional.

02:06But after a seven-minute mutual pause at full-time, Schlott could not have asked for more from such a difficult day.

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