Liverpool have paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva of their opening pre-season pleasant in opposition to Preston.
The sport is the primary time that Arne Slot’s crew have taken to the pitch for the reason that tragic loss of life of Jota, 28, and his brother, 25, on July 3 in a automotive crash in Spain.
A black and white picture of Jota holding the Premier League trophy featured on the duvet of the matchday programme at Deepdale, whereas merchandise stalls bought scarves and flags bearing Jota’s identify.
You will By no means Stroll Alone was performed earlier than the sport, with gamers from each groups carrying black armbands and wreaths have been positioned in entrance of the away finish. As well as, digital tributes have been proven on screens across the floor.
A minute’s silence was noticed previous to kick-off.
Liverpool confirmed this week that they’ve retired the No 20 shirt which Jota wore all through his time at Anfield.
Liverpool paid tribute to Diogo Jota forward of their pre-season pleasant in opposition to Preston
Talking in an interview forward of the sport, Slot stated that Liverpool will at all times carry Jota with them.
Slot informed the club’s official website: ‘We’ll at all times carry him with us in our hearts, in our ideas, wherever we go.
‘Possibly particularly in tough moments due to what I simply stated. However in any second we’re right here, we’ll carry him with us in our ideas and in our hearts.
‘To retire his shirt is the one factor we might, ought to and have accomplished.’
Slot added that Liverpool can be impressed by Jota with reference to their actions going ahead.
He stated: ‘Nothing appears to be vital if we consider what has occurred.
‘However we’re a soccer membership and we have to prepare and we have to play once more, if we wish it or not.
‘What I’ve stated to the gamers, I can say it right here as properly. It’s very tough to seek out the fitting phrases as a result of we continually debate what is acceptable.
Scarves bearing Jota’s identify have been bought on merchandise stalls forward of the sport at Deepdale
Flags paying tribute to Jota are seen on show previous to the sport between Liverpool and Preston
Jota and his brother Andre, 26, died in a automotive crash on July 3 while driving within the north west of Spain
Arne Slot paid tribute to Jota in his interview forward of the sport in opposition to Preston
Slot admitted it has been tough to give attention to soccer within the wake of Jota’s loss of life
Liverpool introduced this week that the No20 shirt on the membership can be retired in reminiscence of Jota
‘What is acceptable in our actions? What is acceptable [for] what we have now to say? Can we prepare once more? Can we chuckle once more? Can we be offended if there’s a fallacious resolution?
‘I’ve stated to them, possibly one of the best factor for us to do is deal with this case like Jota was. And what I meant with that’s that Jota was at all times himself, it didn’t matter if he was speaking to me, to his teammates, to the employees, he was at all times himself.
‘So allow us to attempt to be ourselves as properly. So, if we wish to chuckle we chuckle; if we wish to cry we’re going to cry. In the event that they wish to prepare they will prepare, in the event that they don’t wish to prepare they can’t prepare.
‘However be your self, don’t suppose you must be completely different than your feelings inform you.’
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and made 182 appearances for the Reds, whereas he scored 65 objectives and supplied 26 assists.
Final season Jota was a part of the Liverpool crew which gained the Premier League title. He additionally beforehand gained the FA Cup and two League Cups.
