David Lynch: Preston North End ‘Showed Real Class’ in Pre-Season Friendly Against Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Emotional Tribute to Diogo Jota: A Night of Class and Unity

In Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly of the 2025/26 season, a 3-1 win over Preston North End, the match became about far more than just football. It was an evening where the Liverpool players, fans and staff came together to remember and honour Diogo Jota, a player whose influence stretched far beyond the pitch.

David Lynch, speaking to Eddie Gibbs for Anfield Index, captured the mood perfectly: “Preston showed real class. They were handed a tricky situation there because when they scheduled this it was just a usual pre-season friendly but in the end it turns out as the first step for Liverpool and the fans to grieve Diogo Jota.”

Respect from Preston and the Football Community

It takes a rare level of understanding and empathy to get these moments right. Lynch gave “huge credit to the people behind the scenes at Preston for getting that right and huge credit to the fans as well. You just saw class from top to bottom and thank you from everyone associated with Liverpool really.” Preston’s decision to join in with the Jota song on the second minute and produce a special programme was praised across the board. It showed the football world at its best — rivals on the pitch, but united in humanity off it.

First Steps Without Jota

For Liverpool, this was not just another pre-season outing. Lynch observed, “There’s so many milestones coming up and they are all going to be firsts without Diogo Jota being there and yesterday was the first one and I think we all handled it in the best way possible.” It is a stark reminder that grief in football comes in waves, and the club now faces a season of ‘firsts’ without one of its most-loved players.

Arne Slot, who led Liverpool to a Premier League title in his debut season, knows the psychological strength his team will need in the coming months. This match allowed players and supporters to release some of the raw emotion and move forward together. As Lynch put it, “taking that step forward is a huge positive and the players will need that support to continue over the coming months too.”

Photo: IMAGO

Moving Forward With Purpose

Lynch’s comments on the match proceeding as scheduled carry weight: “I saw it as a real positive that the game went ahead. I think putting this off would’ve done nobody any favours. I think the tears, the standing together would’ve happened eventually and it’s probably for the best to get it done as soon as possible.”

Liverpool showed they are ready to grieve and grow together. Preston’s fans and staff gave a lesson in footballing respect, and Liverpool’s own supporters reminded the world why Anfield’s spirit is so often called unique. “Jota will never be forgotten,” Lynch concluded, summing up the feeling that echoes through Merseyside and beyond.

As Liverpool looks to a new season under Slot, the memory of Diogo Jota will walk with them — not as a shadow, but as a source of inspiration. The club, the players and the fans will carry his spirit onto every pitch they walk onto.