Liverpool launched their 2025/26 campaign with a comfortable 3-1 friendly win over Preston North End, though football was not the focus of the afternoon. Taking place just 10 days after Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were tragically killed in a car accident, the tie was as much a memorial as it was a friendly. Red No20 shirts pockmarked every stand, while the away contingent brought with them an impressive number of commemorative flags
There was not a dry eye in the ground, nor an arm without goosebumps, as Claudia Rose Maguire serenaded the 22,189 in attendance with an emotional rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ - a tear-jerker at the best of times, but even more so given the circumstances of the day.
Arne Slot was provided a full audit of his squad on this sunny Lancashire afternoon, as 22 Reds players took to the pitch at Deepdale, though new British record signing Florian Wirtz was notably absent.
Preston vs Liverpool latest
- GOAL! One back for Preston
- GOAL! Nunez makes it two
- GOAL! Bradley with the breakthrough
- Kick-off 3pm BST | Deepdale
- How to watch
- Diogo Jota tributes
Match report as Liverpool down Preston in emotional friendly
16:58 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool launched their 2025/26 campaign with a comfortable 3-1 friendly win over Preston North End, though football was not the focus of the afternoon. Taking place just 10 days after Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were tragically killed in a car accident, the tie was as much a memorial as it was a friendly. Red No20 shirts pockmarked every stand, while the away contingent brought with them an impressive number of commemorative flags
There was not a dry eye in the ground, nor an arm without goosebumps, as Claudia Rose Maguire serenaded the 22,189 in attendance with an emotional rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ - a tear-jerker at the best of times, but even more so given the circumstances of the day.
Arne Slot was provided a full audit of his squad on this sunny Lancashire afternoon, as 22 Reds players took to the pitch at Deepdale, though new British record signing Florian Wirtz was notably absent.
Liverpool players greet the fans
16:57 , Arthur FerridgeAnother touching moment here, as the full Liverpool squad greet and sing along with their travelling support.
This is a significant moment of catharsis for all involved.
FULL TIME: Preston 1-3 Liverpool
16:51 , Arthur FerridgeThat does it at Deepdale. Liverpool return to the pitch with a win on an emotionally loaded afternoon.
Preston 1-3 Liverpool
16:50 , Arthur Ferridge90mins: Two added minutes.
GOAL! Preston 1-3 Liverpool
16:47 , Arthur Ferridge88mins: Liverpool restore their two-goal advantage through Gakpo, who finally finds the back of the net after missing with several efforts earlier on.
GOAL! Preston 1-2 Liverpool
16:41 , Arthur Ferridge83mins: Preston pull one back! Liam Lindsay is the scorer - he nods one home from the corner.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:38 , Arthur Ferridge80mins: Again the Shankly Stand rises to its feet in song for Jota.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:36 , Arthur Ferridge78mins: Doak goes down in the area after beating his man - the most credible penalty shout of the day - but still Darren England is having none of it. Considerable booing from the Shankly Kop.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:34 , Arthur Ferridge76mins: A true goalmouth scramble here as four Liverpool shots are blocked. How on Earth is it still only 0-2? Fantastic defending from Preston.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:33 , Arthur Ferridge75mins: Kerkez is not moving particularly freely here.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:31 , Arthur Ferridge73mins: The free-kick comes to nought as the offside flag goes up. Appears to be Nunez penalised.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:31 , Arthur Ferridge72mins: Kerkez goes down injured after inadvertently taking a whack in the face, but seems fit to continue as the trainers remain on the touchline. Free kick to Liverpool in the left tramline.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:29 , Arthur Ferridge71mins: Liverpool are pushing hard to add a third, here. Ben Doak is looking lively down the right flank.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:27 , Arthur Ferridge69mins: At the second half drinks break, Preston make seven changes.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:24 , Arthur Ferridge67mins: Gakpo is set up for another shot from the edge of the area and hits a powerful curling effort to the far post, but misses high and wide. You sense one is coming for the Dutchman.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:21 , Arthur Ferridge59mins: Gakpo combines with Koumas and is teed up for a shot from the edge of the area, but it is saved well by Iversen.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:20 , Arthur Ferridge57mins: This has not been a totally convincing performance from Woodhouse in goals as his pass out from the back is hounded down by a Preston forward. He gets away with it - just about.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:17 , Arthur Ferridge54mins: Foul to Liverpool on the edge of the area. Gakpo and Nunez stand over a free-kick in what many would consider to be perfect range and placement, but Gakpo launches it over.
Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:15 , Arthur Ferridge53mins: Gakpo goes down in the area but his penalty shout is waved away. Osmajic counters at full speed, but his shot is wayward at best. Back down the other end, Curtis Jones tries one from range, but it is easily caught by Iversen.
GOAL! Preston 0-2 Liverpool
16:11 , Arthur Ferridge51mins: Speak of the devil - Darwin rounds the keeper to score and emulates Jota’s signature celebration!
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
16:10 , Arthur Ferridge50mins: Point of interest - Darwin Nunez has dispensed with his usual ponytail/man bun and shaved his head. Curious play - let’s see if it pays off.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
16:09 , Arthur Ferridge49mins: Gakpo is flagged offside. Imagine that’ll be the first of many such calls against his name this season...
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
16:08 , Arthur Ferridge47mins: Woodman almost marks his senior debut with a howler as he plays an unneeded chip to Robertson out from the back, under heavy pressure.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
16:07 , Arthur Ferridge46mins: Milos Kerkez takes his first touches in Liverpool red, as does Jeremie Frimpong!
2ND HALF: Preston 0-1 Liverpool
16:04 , Arthur FerridgeBack underway!
Liverpool name a fresh XI: Woodman, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Doak, Kerkez, Frimpong, Nallo, Koumas
Half time observations
15:51 , Arthur FerridgeLooks like most of the 14 named Liverpool subs are out warming up at halftime.
HALF TIME: Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:48 , Arthur FerridgeThe final Preston corner rips through the middle of the box and no white shirt can reach it. That does it for the first 45.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:47 , Arthur Ferridge45+2mins: Small blitzes down the left flank and wins a corner with a deflected cross. Can Preston nick one before half-time?
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:46 , Arthur Ferridge45+1mins: Preston are wasteful again from the set-piece. An inswinging corner goes long, and the resultant shot is from far too tight an angle to cause a problem.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:45 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: Close again for Preston! A long throw is heaved in and is flicked into the box via two white-shirted forwards, but the final shot is just over the crossbar. Two minutes added.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:44 , Arthur Ferridge45mins: The corner is taken short and played out to Whiteman, who lofts a looping cross into the 18-yard box for Mamardashvili to punch away. Decisive from the Georgian.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:43 , Arthur Ferridge44mins: Corner for Preston.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:42 , Arthur Ferridge43mins: Close for Preston! Its Osmajic in the middle at full stretch to latch onto a cross from the byline - Stefanson is completely caught out. Osmajoc nudges the ball at goal from close range, but can’t quite direct it where it needs to be. It must be said, Mamardashvilli has not really been challenged thus far. He might not even have made a proper save yet.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:41 , Arthur Ferridge42mins: Osmajic is overeager and lays his arm into the back of Stefanson, and also looks to have caught his head in the aftermath. The kid looks ok to carry on. Free-kick to Liverpool.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:40 , Arthur Ferridge41mins: Stephenson takes down Keane to hand Preston a free kick in their own half.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:39 , Arthur Ferridge40mins: A bit of the gas has come out of this one as we approach the half time, though that will effectively mean full time for most of the players on the pitch.
Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:36 , Arthur Ferridge37mins: Bradley is after another goal as Gravenberch plays him through. He goes down in the area under assistance from Hughes, but does not appeal with any great energy.
GOAL! Preston 0-1 Liverpool
15:34 , Arthur Ferridge33mins: There’s the breakthrough. Ngumoah with a brilliant mazey dribble sets up Szoboszlai for a shot in the box. His effort is blocked, but after some six-yard box pinball it falls to Bradley, who finishes low across goal.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:32 , Arthur Ferridge32mins: Nyoni receives the ball from Ngumoah on the edge of the box and looks for the far corner, but misses just wide. Good effort from the youngster.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:30 , Arthur Ferridge31mins: Again Ngumoah tears away, again Liverpool’s passing isn’t quite crisp enough to produce a threatening move.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:29 , Arthur Ferridge30mins: Small gets on the ball and drives to the byline, but Bradley does well to shrug him off. Got a really good physical battle between those two.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:28 , Arthur Ferridge28mins: The corner is attacked well and comes out to Szoboszlai, whose shot catches the keeper Iversen in the chest.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:27 , Arthur Ferridge27mins: A tantalising cross goes into the Preston area and Hughes gets just enough on it to upset Szoboszlai, who lets the ball run beyond him for a corner.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:26 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: Back underway, and Gravenberch immediately cuts out the Preston keeper’s pass. Liverpool can’t quite do anything with it though.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:24 , Arthur Ferridge24mins: The referee sends the players for a hydration break - it is 26 degrees here in Preston - and still the Shankly end sings Jota’s name.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:22 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: As we roll into the 20th minute, Deepdale rises to its feet. Jota’s anthem has been sung on repeat since kick-off, but it intensifies now. Preston supporters respond in kind, applauding the chorus.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:20 , Arthur Ferridge20mins: Close from Chiesa! Szoboszlai gets in behind and races at goal but is ushered wide. He recycles to Chiesa, who turns and shoots but misses wide left.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:18 , Arthur Ferridge19mins: Nyoni goes in late on Thordarson, barging his man to the ground and conceding a free-kick. Not really needed.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:18 , Arthur Ferridge18mins: The Liverpool corner is allowed to bounce on the penalty spot but no red shirt attacks it. Some evident rust.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:17 , Arthur Ferridge17mins: Gravenberch beats his man to trigger a Liverpool move, and they attack apace. Ngumoah cuts in off the left, beats a couple men (sending one sliding), but his shot is blocked. Corner for the Reds.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:15 , Arthur Ferridge16mins: Some frustration here, maybe, as Ngumoah pulls down his marker, who is shielding him off a Szoboszlai through ball.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:13 , Arthur Ferridge14mins: Ngumoah looks sharp - he gets on the ball and runs at Valentin, but his cross for Salah at the back stick is well overhit.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:12 , Arthur Ferridge13mins: Salah has his first notable involvement as Liverpool break on the counter. They reach the final third and slow things down, allowing Preston to dig in. The Egyptian looks to dink a ball through for Szoboslai, but it is cut out. Bradley follows up with a cross, but that too is blocked.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:11 , Arthur Ferridge11mins: Gibson has a pop from range but his effort swerves away from Mamardashvili’s net.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:09 , Arthur Ferridge9mins: Not the best free kick you’ll ever see - Bradley clears away under no pressure. Small on the left flank puts in another nice cross, but this time it is Tsimikas to sweep up. Great spell from Preston.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:08 , Arthur Ferridge8mins: Preston enjoy a good spell in possession and Small whips a threatening cross over the box. It goes uncollected in the middle, but the player who receives it on the far side is fouled. Free-kick in a dangerous area for the hosts.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:05 , Arthur Ferridge5mins: Liverpool win a throw high up the pitch, but go back to defence immediately. After recycling, Preston turn the ball over in their left channel. They hoof a long ball to the striker Hughes, but Stephenson deals with it, heading back to the Georgian in goal.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:04 , Arthur Ferridge4mins: Tidy move from Liverpool sets Ngumoah after the Preston back-line, but his attempted one-two with Szoboslai is cut out. Liverpool looking fairly sharp in the opening exchanges.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:03 , Arthur Ferridge3mins: Giorgi Mamardashvili takes his first touches in a Liverpool shirt.
Preston 0-0 Liverpool
15:02 , Arthur Ferridge2mins: Preston go long from the off but Liverpool promptly regain possession. Conor Bradley plays Szoboszlai in behind, but he can’t get the better of Lewis Gibson. Goal kick to Preston.
KICK OFF! Preston 0-0 Liverpool
14:59 , Arthur FerridgeThe 2025/26 season is underway!
One last tribute
14:59 , Arthur FerridgeA minute of silence is observed for Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. It is faithfully observed by all in the ground.
Here come the squads
14:55 , Arthur FerridgeThe players enter the pitch as the music closes.
YNWA is a tear-jerker at the best of times. That one meant a little bit more.
You'll never walk alone
14:54 , Arthur FerridgeNot a dry eye in the house, nor a goosebump-free arm, as Maguire enters into her rendition of Liverpool’s anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
She is drowned out by applause as Preston captain Ben Whiteman lays a wreath in front of the away end.
Tributes begin
14:50 , Arthur FerridgeFans around the ground stand as Claudia Rose Maguire enters the pitch to sing ‘Can't Help Falling in Love’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
The words ‘Rest in peace Diogo Jota & Andre Silva’ flash up on the advertising hoardings.
Liverpool team news
14:46 , Arthur FerridgeConfirmation from the Deepdale tannoy that Liverpool will play a fresh XI in the second half.
Jota tributes begin
14:44 , Arthur FerridgeThe flag below is one of many like it in the Deepdale stands.
Memorial proceedings for Jota are expected to get underway shortly.
View from the press box
14:36 , Arthur FerridgeAfter seeing a worrying level of cloud cover on the train north from Euston, I am pleased to confirm that it is a gorgeous, sunny afternoon at Deepdale.
The Bill Shankly Stand is already about three-quarters full with red shirts, and a few renditions of Diogo Jota’s personal anthem have already rung out.
They serenaded the squad with a roar as they ran out to warm up.
Worth noting, also, that red shirts are not confined to the Shankly End. They are dotted all through this historic ground.
Giorgi Mamardashvili’s warm-up routine goes interrupted as the referees choose to complete their own warm-up in the Liverpool 18-yard box. They complete their lap of the pitch by similarly interrupting Preston’s Iversen, though.
In addition, only the Liverpool starters are out to warm up, which lends some credence to the claim that there will be a fully unique squad for the second half.
Today's approach
14:29 , Arthur FerridgeWith 14 subs named, expect Liverpool to play two unique XIs in either half.
A reminder of who is on the subs bench: Woodman, Pecsi, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Doak, Kerkez, Frimpong, Nallo, Koumas, Morrison, Pilling
Three Liverpool youngsters start
14:18 , Arthur FerridgeAmong today’s Liverpool starters is Luca Stephenson, a 2003-born full-back who starred on loan at Dundee last season, earning Young Player of the Year accolades.
Forward Rio Ngumoah was acrimoniously poached from Chelsea’s academy last season and impressed in his few senior appearances.
Trey Nyoni played five times last season. The Leicester City academy graduate has starred at academy level and in England youth setups.
What to make of the Liverpool squad
14:13 , Arthur FerridgeBritish record signing Florian Wirtz is not in the matchday squad for Liverpool.
Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili makes his debut between the sticks, with another newly signed keeper in Armin Pesci on the bench.
Federico Chiesa starts despite being linked with a move away from the club, but transfer-listed striker Darwin Nunez only makes the bench.
Rio Ngumoah, the academy starlet poached from Chelsea, starts in midfield.
Confirmed Preston XI
14:04 , Arthur FerridgePaul Heckingbottom names his squad to face Liverpool.
Confirmed Preston XI: Iversen, Valentin, Whiteman, Keane, McCann, Storey, Hughes, Gibson, Thordarson, Small, Osmajic
Subs: Cornell, Offiah, Lindsay, Jebbison, Okkels, Felipe, Kamara, Pasiek, Lescott, Mawene, Tarry, Carroll
Confirmed Liverpool XI
14:01 , Arthur FerridgeArne Slot names his side.
Confirmed Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Szboszlai, Salah, Chiesa, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Ngumoah, Bradley, Stephenson, Nyoni
Subs: Woodman, Pecsi, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Doak, Kerkez, Frimpong, Nallo, Koumas, Morrison, Pilling
Team news to come
13:57 , Arthur FerridgeLineups will be released in just a few moments. Will we see some Deepdale debuts?
Liverpool retire the No20 in honour of Jota
13:47 , Arthur FerridgeLiverpool will retire their No20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota, who died tragically in a car crash along with his brother Andre Silva.
The Reds liaised with Jota’s wife Rute Cardoso and the player’s family, announcing that the forward “will forever be Liverpool’s No20”.
Jota and his brother were devastatingly killed in Spain on Thursday, July 3, when their car veered off the road after a tyre blowout.
The atmosphere at Deepdale
13:34 , Arthur FerridgeThe atmosphere here at Deepdale is already a rather sombre one.
Making the walk from Preston Station to the ground, there were Jota tributes abound. Portugal flags bearing his name hung outside pubs, and every other Liverpool shirt you saw on the street bore the No20.
It should go without saying that, just ten days on from Jota and Silva’s tragic passing, there is a very clear priority today. Despite the fact that £200m worth of new signings are preparing to make their Liverpool debuts, this match is not about the football.
Preston CEO issues Jota tribute
13:22 , Arthur FerridgePeter Ridsdale, CEO of Preston North End, has issued a touching tribute to Diogo Jota in the matchday programme.
He wrote: “Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to everyone related to Diogo and Andre, their parents and of course Diogo’s wife Rute, with their three children and everyone at Liverpool Football Club, and especially his team colleagues.
“It would have been easy for today’s game not to go ahead in the circumstances but we sincerely hope that by playing today it will serve as a reminder that whilst football rivalries have their place the most important thing is that the game brings people together. Tragedies are a constant reminder of how precious life is. We must savour every moment.”
Arne Slot on Jota
13:16 , Arthur FerridgeArne Slot has paid a moving tribute to Diogo Jota and said Liverpool “will always carry him with us in our hearts” following his death.
In his first interview since Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in Spain last week, Slot has described the forward as “a champion” and opened up on the club’s decision to retire his No20 shirt as a lasting tribute.
“First of all, it had a lot of impact on us but nothing compared to the loss that is felt by his parents, his wife Rute and his children and his other family,” said Slot in an emotional interview on the Liverpool FC website.
“The first feeling we all have is of sadness. The second feeling that comes to my mind is pride. I think his parents and Rute can be so proud of the player and the person he was - mainly the person.”
Head to head history and results
13:09 , Giuseppe MuroFixtures between these two clubs have been very few and far between over the last six decades.
Indeed, the only two competitive matches between them since 1962 took place in the 2009 FA Cup third round and 2021 League Cup fourth round, respectively.
Both ties were won 2-0 by Liverpool. Between those two dates there were also a pair of friendlies contested in 2013 and 2014. The first was won 4-0 by the Reds, the second a slightly closer affair - but still Liverpool won, 2-1.
Preston wins: 26
Liverpool wins: 40
Draws: 21
Liverpool squad numbers
13:00 , Giuseppe MuroLiverpool have confirmed their new signings will be wearing temporary squad numbers for pre-season fixtures, starting today.
55 - Giorgi Mamardashvili
56 - Freddie Woodman
57 - Milos Kerkez
58 - Florian Wirtz
59 - Jeremie Frimpong
60 - Armin Pecsi
Liverpool team news
12:49 , Giuseppe MuroNew Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz is in line to make his first appearance for the Reds.
The £116million signing is one of four new arrivals who could make their Liverpool debuts, along with Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
First-team stars like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are expected to be involved.
Diogo Jota tributes
12:42 , Giuseppe MuroToday is Liverpool’s first match since the death of Jota, which the club described as an "unimaginable loss".
Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in Spain last week.
There will be a rendition of Liverpool anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ ahead of kick-off, as well as a minute’s silence.
Preston captain Ben Whiteman will lay a wreath in front of the away fans and both teams will wear black armbands.
Digital tributes will be displayed on the screen and across pitchside LEDs.
Preston have also published a commemorative edition of the matchday programme that features written tributes to the brothers.
How to watch
12:33 , Giuseppe MuroTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live and for free on ITV1. Coverage is scheduled to start at 2:50pm BST ahead of the 3pm kick-off.
Live stream: Viewers can also follow the game live and for free online via the ITVX app or website. The game will also be on LFCTV and streamed globally on All Red Video.
Good afternoon!
12:33 , Giuseppe MuroHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Preston vs Liverpool!
It will be an emotional day at Deepdale, as Liverpool return to action for the first time since the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here, ahead of kick-off which comes at 3pm BST.
