Preston v Liverpool preview: Team news, lineups, prediction
Liverpool are set to begin their pre-season campaign with a match at Preston North End, but there will be little focus on the performance.
Arne Slot’s side will return to prepare for the upcoming campaign, but the tragic passing of Diogo Jota will be the primary thought of everyone involved.
The Liverpool community were rocked by the news of the accident which claimed the lives of Jota and his brother Andre Silva, and tributes have poured in all over the world.
The friendly with Preston was nearly cancelled, but it will now go ahead with special tributes for Jota planned, and this will be a good chance for the squad to build up their fitness.
Preston v Liverpool preview
Liverpool’s entire focus will be on Jota, with the squad playing their first match since his death, and there are tributes planned for him.
Preston have shown their classy side as they will lay out a wreath prior to kick-off alongside the away supporters, with a pre-match rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone planned.
| Date | Sunday, July 13 |
| Stadium | Deepdale, Preston |
| Time | 15.00 |
Both teams will be wearing black armbands and will observe what will be an emotional minute’s silence before the match begins.
Team news
Slot will have most of his squad available, and he may select a strong team given the weight of the occasion.
New signings Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are all in line to appear for the first time, as is goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
A strong team may be selected with senior players wanting to play in this significant occasion, and the new signings may be introduced on a day in which the focus will not be on them.
Predicted lineup
Liverpool may go full strength and start most of their new signings, but Darwin Nunez is also in line to appear despite a likely exit.
The attacker could put himself in the shop window and build up his fitness amid links with Napoli.
Liverpool: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Endo, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Prediction: Preston 0-4 Liverpool
The result is unimportant for either side as Preston will aim to build up their fitness against top opposition, but Liverpool’s attackers may want to get on the scoresheet and pay tribute to Jota in their goal celebrations.
It is likely to be a low-intensity game, but Liverpool goals are inevitable, and both sides will want to avoid injuries as they return to prepare for next season.
Liverpool News are predicting a 4-0 victory with different scorers contributing, and they will hope to get through this game with morale as high as it possibly could be in the circumstances.
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