In full: Read Arne Slot's programme notes for Anfield friendlies

On their first home appearance since lifting the Premier League trophy in May, the Reds will face the La Liga side in two separate matches, kicking off at 4pm and 7pm UTC.

The occasion will also be a poignant one as the team and supporters reunite at Anfield for the first time since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, last month.

In his matchday programme column, head coach Slot writes: “It will be great to be back at Anfield for the first time since we lifted the Premier League trophy back in May, and we are all looking forward to that.

“Of course, we know that this will also be an emotional occasion, being the first time that we have played at home since we lost Diogo. I know that you will want to pay your tributes before, during and after the games, and I know that we will hear his song ringing out throughout the evening.

“It has been a tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo’s family, his wife, his children and friends.

“We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward. We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.

“Diogo’s passing has had a big impact on us all, but what has been so important has been the love and care shown from the football world, and in particular of course the Liverpool FC community.

“At Anfield, at the AXA Training Centre, at Preston North End and on our recent tour of Hong Kong and Japan, we really felt what Diogo meant to everyone, and how together our fans are.

“I want to mention the strength and the courage of my players here, too. They have found themselves in one of the toughest positions imaginable, but the way they have come together and the way they have conducted themselves, on and off the pitch, is a credit to them and to this football club. We really couldn’t have asked more of the boys, and I am extremely proud of them all.

“Our tour of Asia was a good one, with a lot of hard work on the training pitches. Pre-season is about getting fit and keeping fit, and although we had a couple of small issues during our 10 days away, the majority of our players returned healthy and in a good shape as we count down to the new season.

“Pre-season is also about integrating new players, and I think the way our new signings have settled into the group so far has been really good.

“I know you will all welcome Jeremie [Frimpong], Florian [Wirtz], Hugo [Ekitike], Giorgi [Mamardashvili], Armin [Pecsi], Freddie [Woodman] and Milos [Kerkez] to the club with open arms, and I think they have already felt a little bit of how big and how special Liverpool is. That feeling will only grow, the longer they are here.

“For now, I am looking forward to being back at home, back on familiar soil. The hard work continues.”