On Sunday, players, staff and supporters from Liverpool and Preston North End paid tribute to Diogo Jota during their friendly match. The game ended in a 3-1 win for Liverpool, but it was the poignant tributes to Jota that played the main role.
During an emotional afternoon, Preston captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath in front of Liverpool’s travelling fans before a performance of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was sung before kick-off. The teams then took to the pitch wearing black armbands before a poignant minute’s silence was held in memory of Diego Jota and his brother.
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Preston also produced a special match programme to recognise the importance of the match. Liverpool have retired Jota’s number 20 shirt in his honour.
Several of Liverpool’s senior players, such as Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, who were part of the club squad that attended Jota’s funeral in Portugal last week, were absent from the matchday squad as they continue to build form ahead of the new Premier League season. They watched from the stands at Deepdale.
Mohamed Salah captained Liverpool, with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez playing his first game for the club.
Goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo gave Liverpool a deserved victory, with Núñez copying Jota’s celebration after finding the back of the net in the 53rd minute.
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After the game, Liverpool players and coaches gathered in front of the away team while the supporters chanted Jota’s name. Strongly.
