Liverpool FC’s first friendly match was dominated by the memory of Diogo Jota, who died in a tragic accident. Summer signing Florian Wirtz was completely absent from the squad.
Liverpool played their first friendly of the new season at Preston North End. But first, there was a tribute to Diogo Jota, who recently died in a tragic accident. There were numerous touching gestures and tributes around the game in memory of the Portuguese player and his brother André Silva.
In addition to a minute’s silence, an artist sang “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and Liverpool’s club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” while Preston captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath. Images of the brothers were also shown on the stadium screens, with players and fans visibly struggling to contain their emotions.
“Nothing seems important when you consider what has happened,” said coach Arne Slot in a video released by the Reds ahead of the test against Preston North End, adding that Liverpool is a football club “and we have to train again and we have to play again, whether we want to or not.” And that’s what they did.
Record signing Florian Wirtz, who was poached from Bayer 04 Leverkusen for €150 million in the summer, was absent from the squad, as were other prominent players such as captain Virgil van Dijk, regular goalkeeper Alisson and Argentine World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.
Purely a precautionary measure
According to consistent media reports, following the unplanned start to pre-season due to the death of Diogo Jota, whose number 20 shirt will not be reissued at Liverpool, this was a precautionary measure.
While Wirtz, who will wear the number 58 until all shirt numbers are officially announced during pre-season, was not even in the squad, Jeremie Frimpong, the second player signed from Leverkusen this summer, was on the bench. Meanwhile, Giorgi Mamardashvili, signed from Valencia, made his debut between the posts, while Mo Salah captained the team against the second division side. Both teams wore black armbands. The Reds won the game 3-1 with goals from Conor Bradley (33′), Darwin (53′) and Cody Gakpo (88′).