Preston 1-3 Liverpool: Reds Secure Emotional Victory to Launch 25/26 Campaign | OneFootball

Liverpool Begin Pre-Season With Emotional Victory Over Preston North End

Liverpool began their 2025/26 pre-season with a 3-1 win over Preston North End, but the football was only part of the story at Deepdale. Just ten days after the tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car accident, the afternoon became a poignant tribute as much as a sporting contest.

Emotional Afternoon in Lancashire

In front of 22,189 spectators, the mood was reflective. Red No20 shirts filled the stands and commemorative flags waved in memory of Jota, a player adored by the Liverpool faithful. Claudia Rose Maguire’s haunting rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before kick-off moved fans to tears, creating a collective moment of mourning and solidarity.

The minute of silence that followed underlined the sense of shared grief, with even the Preston North End supporters joining in respectful remembrance.

Photo: IMAGO

Slot’s Side Shake off Pre-Season Rust

Arne Slot, fresh from guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season, used the match to assess his squad’s fitness and sharpness. Twenty-two players featured, though new British record signing Florian Wirtz was absent, a reminder that Liverpool’s summer business is still unfolding.

Despite limited training, Rio Ngumoah and Dominik Szoboszlai impressed, driving Liverpool forward. Szoboszlai in particular showed his class with clever passing and intelligent movement, offering a vital link between midfield and attack.

Preston North End, meanwhile, found some joy through the energetic Thierry Small on the left flank but struggled to create clear chances before the half-hour break.

Goals and Tributes Intertwine

The first goal arrived after sustained Liverpool pressure. Ngumoah’s dribble into the area was interrupted by Federico Chiesa, whose deflected shot led to a scramble that Szoboszlai could not finish. Conor Bradley, however, was on hand at the far post to steer the ball home, sparking celebrations tinged with remembrance.

Slot rang the changes at half-time, handing debuts to Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. Yet it was Darwin Nunez, rumoured to be leaving this summer, who delivered the second goal. Capitalising on a poor backpass, Nunez rounded the keeper and celebrated in Jota’s trademark style: seated cross-legged, video-game controller in hand, a nod to his late teammate.

Photo: IMAGO

Room for Improvement Before New Season

Liverpool stayed largely in control, though Preston found a deserved consolation near the end. Freddie Woodman, newly signed from Preston and making his Liverpool debut, looked nervous, much to the delight of the home crowd. Cody Gakpo restored the two-goal cushion late on, ensuring Liverpool’s return to action ended on a positive note.

While Slot’s men have tactical and fitness work to complete before the Premier League season begins next month, this was a step towards emotional recovery as much as sporting readiness. Football often offers no easy healing, but on afternoons like this, it gives a place for grief, memory and, slowly, moving forward.