Liverpool and Preston paid tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in an emotional ceremony forward of their pre-season pleasant on Sunday.
Jota and Andre, additionally an expert footballer, died in a automobile accident on 3 July in Zamora, Spain.
The Reds’ first pre-season fixture, held at Preston, was stuffed with poignant moments to honour the brothers. The stadium was moved by heartfelt performances of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Assist Falling in Love and the long-lasting You’ll By no means Stroll Alone, Liverpool’s anthem.
Because the latter echoed across the floor, Preston captain Ben Whiteman, visibly overcome with emotion, positioned a wreath in entrance of the part housing Liverpool’s away supporters.
Followers within the away finish paid their respects with flags, scarves, and banners remembering the previous Wolves and Porto attacker.
They sang Jota’s chant as gamers emerged from the tunnel. A minute’s silence adopted.
Within the twentieth minute – a nod to Jota’s shirt quantity – the gang as soon as once more erupted into music in his reminiscence.
An impeccably noticed interval of silence to recollect Diogo Jota and Andre Silva ❤️ pic.twitter.com/noeE4t21DE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 13, 2025
The matchday programme featured a black-and-white picture of Jota lifting the Premier League trophy, surrounded by messages honouring him and his brother.
In a touching gesture, Liverpool introduced on Friday at exactly 20:20 BST that Jota’s No.20 shirt could be completely retired all through the membership.
Talking to Liverpool TV for the primary time for the reason that tragedy, head coach Arne Slot provided his ideas on how the membership is coping: “If we wish to chuckle, we chuckle; if we wish to cry, we’re going to cry.
“In the event that they wish to practice they’ll practice, in the event that they don’t wish to practice they cannot practice. However be your self, don’t suppose you need to be totally different than your feelings inform you.
“We are going to at all times carry him with us in our hearts, in our ideas, wherever we go.”
Jota scored 65 objectives in 182 appearances throughout his time at Liverpool, enjoying a pivotal position within the membership’s FA Cup and League Cup double in 2022 and their most up-to-date Premier League triumph.
He final represented Portugal within the Nations League remaining in opposition to Spain on 8 June, the place he helped one other trophy. In whole, he netted 14 objectives throughout 49 caps for his nation.
