Liverpool announce touching tributes for Jota in Preston friendly
Liverpool are set to play their first game since the passing of Diogo Jota in a pre-season friendly on Sunday against Preston North End.
The game had been in doubt after Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a road traffic accident on 3 July.
Liverpool have now confirmed that the friendly on 13 July will go ahead, with a number of tributes from both clubs in place to respect the life of the Reds forward.
Liverpool and Preston to remember Jota
Jota and Silva’s deaths were devastating for the whole of the football world.
The Liverpool forward was remembered for not just his impact on the pitch but also his kindness off it.
The brothers’ funerals both took place in Portugal last Saturday (5 July) and was attended by Arne Slot and the Liverpool squad.
Both Liverpool and Preston will now give the pair a touching send-off in their friendly at Deepdale.
Ahead of the 3pm kick-off, there will be a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, and Preston representatives will lay a wreath alongside the away supporters.
A minute’s silence will also be observed in Diogo and Andre’s memory, with digital tributes displayed on Deepdale’s big screen and across pitchside LEDs.
Both sets of players will wear black armbands, and Preston have also created a commemorative edition of the matchday programme that features written tributes to Diogo and Andre.
Liverpool will continue to feel the affects of Jota’s death
Jota’s death will continue to be felt on Merseyside.
For the past week, football has felt like the very least important thing, with grief and loss taking charge over all other emotions.
To some players, Sunday’s match will just act as a chance to divert their minds elsewhere.
For all of the Reds’ squad, the Preston friendly is a chance for them to step up and do Jota proud.
Liverpool FC has always been about togetherness in the toughest of times, from the affects of the Hillsborough disaster to now.
Anfield have already shown how much they can help and care for Jota’s family, and the players can now make the Liverpool forward proud and win the Premier League in his memory.
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