Liverpool pay emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva ahead of friendly

Liverpool have paid an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in their opening pre-season friendly against Preston.

The game is the first time that Arne Slot's team have taken to the pitch since the tragic death of Jota, 28, and his brother, 25, on July 3 in a car crash in Spain.

A black and white image of Jota holding the Premier League trophy featured on the cover of the matchday programme at Deepdale, while merchandise stalls sold scarves and flags bearing Jota's name.

You'll Never Walk Alone was played before the game, with players from both teams wearing black armbands and wreaths were placed in front of the away end. In addition, digital tributes were shown on screens around the ground.

A minute's silence was observed prior to kick-off.

Liverpool confirmed this week that they have retired the No 20 shirt which Jota wore throughout his time at Anfield.

Speaking in an interview ahead of the game, Slot said that Liverpool will always carry Jota with them.

Slot told the club's official website: 'We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.

'Maybe especially in difficult moments because of what I just said. But in any moment we are here, we will carry him with us in our thoughts and in our hearts.

'To retire his shirt is the one thing we could, should and have done.'

Slot added that Liverpool will be inspired by Jota with regards to their actions going forward.

He said: 'Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened.

'But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not.

'What I’ve said to the players, I can say it here as well. It’s very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate.

'What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate [for] what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there’s a wrong decision?

'I’ve said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself, it didn’t matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself.

'So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh; if we want to cry we’re going to cry. If they want to train they can train, if they don’t want to train they can not train.

'But be yourself, don’t think you have to be different than your emotions tell you.'

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and made 182 appearances for the Reds, while he scored 65 goals and provided 26 assists.

Last season Jota was part of the Liverpool team which won the Premier League title. He also previously won the FA Cup and two League Cups.