Preston 1-3 Liverpool: Bradley breaks the deadlock, Gakpo & Nunez score

Liverpool won their first friendly of the summer by claiming a 3-1 victory over Preston North End.

Match Report

The Reds' first match since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva was preceded by several moving tributes to the brothers, who lost their lives last week.

Arne Slot opted to field two separate XIs in each half at Deepdale on Sunday afternoon, with the first-half line-up featuring Giorgi Mamardashvili and the second-half team including Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.

Conor Bradley opened the scoring soon after the half-hour mark, Darwin Nunez made it 2-0 in the early stages of the second period and Cody Gakpo added a third late on, after Liam Lindsay had replied for Preston.

The Premier League champions therefore began preparing for 2025-26 by winning a game that will mainly be remembered for honouring Diogo and Andre.

After an impeccably observed period of silence, Liverpool’s pre-season programme began and it was Rio Ngumoha – starting on the left of the front three, with Federico Chiesa central and captain Mohamed Salah on the right – who offered their primary early threat.

Ngumoha immediately showed his willingness to drive at his full-back and, a quarter of an hour in, cut inside and shot after the pitch had been opened up by a trademark Ryan Gravenberch turn in midfield.

Chiesa was thwarted by a fine last-ditch challenge by Preston defender Lewis Gibson, whose initial misjudgement on the halfway line had presented the Reds’ No.14 with an opportunity to bear down on goal.

On the 20-minute mark, the whole stadium rose to applaud as an image of Diogo and Andre was displayed on the big screen. Our No.20 for eternity was duly honoured by a near-10-minute rendition of his song, which was chanted heartily, with pride and love, by those in the away end.

Then, after Dominik Szoboszlai had seen an effort saved, the champions’ first goal of the summer was scored by Bradley.

Ngumoha was again involved, the teenager this time linking up with Chiesa, who in turn sought out Szoboszlai. The No.8’s attempt on goal then found its way to Bradley, who finished with ease at the back post.

A new Liverpool side emerged for the second 45 and Nunez quickly doubled the advantage in opportunistic fashion.

The striker latched onto an under-hit backpass and rounded goalkeeper Daniel Iversen before slotting home and, touchingly, recreating a couple of Jota’s goal celebrations in front of the Reds’ supporters.

Curtis Jones fizzed a strike goalwards after adventurous work from Frimpong, who dribbled inside with intent from the right flank.

Preston then pulled one back inside the final 10 minutes through a powerful Lindsay header, but Gakpo had the final say.

Ben Doak’s pass located the No.18 thanks to a clever dummy from Nunez and Gakpo finished coolly before fittingly signing the number 20 to the away end.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

11' Preston player shots wide!

16' Chiesa's shot wide out

20' The Liverpool fans are ready for what will be a very emotional moment

27' Szoboszlai lets the ball run beyond him for a corner

33' Bradley gives lead with a close-range finish! Preston North End 0-1 Liverpool

42' What a golden chance from Preston North End

53' Nunez doubles the lead for Liverpool!!! Preston North End 0-2 Liverpool

75' Match Event for Preston North End vs Liverpool

80' The most credible penalty shout of the day

83' Preston pull one back! Liam Lindsay is scorer! Preston North End 1-2 Liverpool

85' Match Event for Preston North End vs Liverpool

88' Liverpool restore their two-goal advantage through Gakpo! Preston 1-3 Liverpool

Line-ups

Preston North End XI: Andrew Hughes, Will Keane, Daniel Iversen, Ben Whiteman, Pol Valentín, Jordan Storey, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, Ali McCann, Milutin Osmajic, Thierry Small, Lewis Gibson

Subs: David Cornell, Liam Lindsay, Jeppe Okkels, Odeluga Offiah, Daniel Jebbison, Kacper Pasiek, Kaedyn Kamara, Noah Mawene, Felipinho, Theo Carroll, Troy Tarry, Clayton Lescott

Liverpool XI: Salah, Joe Gomez, Tsimikas, Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Gravenberch, Conor Bradley, Luca Stephenson, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha

Subs: Endo, Robertson, Freddie Woodman, Gakpo, Nunez, Curtis Jones, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Tommy Pilling, Ben Doak, Ármin Pécsi, Lewis Koumas, Kieran Morrison, Amara Nallo