Liverpool vs Preston Friendly Goes Ahead After Jota Tragedy

Liverpool vs Preston friendly will proceed this Sunday at Deepdale despite the heartbreak surrounding Diogo Jota’s sudden passing earlier this week. Following extensive discussions between both clubs, the Premier League giants confirmed that the opening pre-season fixture will be played as scheduled, with the evening set aside to honour the Portuguese forward’s memory.

Liverpool vs Preston friendly: schedule, kick-off, and broadcast

The match is slated for a 16:00 BST kick-off on 14 July. Liverpool’s in-house channel LFCTV will screen the encounter live worldwide, while Preston North End are providing a dedicated stream for supporters unable to attend. Ticket sales were briefly paused on Wednesday while the clubs assessed whether to postpone, but a joint statement on Thursday morning reassured fans that all purchases remain valid.

Why the game is still being played

Jurgen Klopp, speaking to the club website, explained that the squad unanimously supported going ahead. “Diogo loved football more than anything; stopping would not have felt right,” the manager said. Preston boss Ryan Lowe echoed the sentiment, calling the visit of Liverpool “an opportunity to pay our respects on the pitch.” Both camps agreed that the Liverpool vs Preston friendly offers a powerful platform to unite fans in grief and celebration.

Planned tributes to Diogo Jota

Several commemorative gestures have been mapped out. Players will wear black armbands, and the stadium’s big screens will display a minute-long montage of Jota’s best moments in red. Supporters on the Kop end have organised a giant banner reading “Forever 20” – a nod to the forward’s shirt number. A minute’s applause is scheduled for the 20th minute, while both sets of players will form a guard of honour before kick-off.

Team news and expected line-ups

Klopp is set to field a mixed XI of senior stars and academy hopefuls. Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, and new signing Wataru Endo are in contention for 45-minute run-outs. Academy graduates Ben Doak, Bobby Clark, and Jarell Quansah are tipped to start, giving fans an early glimpse of Liverpool’s next generation.

Preston, meanwhile, will treat the Liverpool vs Preston friendly as crucial preparation for their Championship opener. Striker Emil Riis returns from injury, and highly rated goalkeeper Freddie Woodman is due to wear the captain’s armband. Lowe hinted that youngsters such as Kian Best and Noah Mawene could feature to test themselves against elite opposition.

Fitness goals and tactical experiments

For Liverpool, early pre-season fixtures are traditionally about conditioning and rhythm. Assistant coach Pep Lijnders confirmed the squad has been working on a 3-2-2-3 build-up shape that debuted late last season. Expect to see Trent Alexander-Arnold drifting centrally, with Andy Robertson tasked to provide width from deep. Preston, who often line up in a 3-4-2-1, will look to clog midfield channels and exploit counter-attacking spaces.

Security and supporter information

Deepdale officials anticipate a near-capacity crowd of 22,000. Additional counselling staff, organised by the LFC Foundation and Preston North End Community Trust, will be on site to assist supporters affected by Jota’s death. Turnstiles open at 14:30, and fans are advised to arrive early for the planned tributes. Both clubs have asked that scarves and banners be respectful and non-commercial; stewards retain the right to confiscate any deemed inappropriate.

Historical context of the fixture

Although separated by two divisions, the clubs share rich history. The last competitive meeting came in the 2009 FA Cup third round, when goals from Albert Riera and Fernando Torres secured a 2-0 Liverpool win. Preston’s last victory over the Reds dates back to 1962. Sunday’s Liverpool vs Preston friendly marks the first time they have met in pre-season since a 1-0 Liverpool triumph in 2014, sealed by Raheem Sterling.

What the result means for both sides

Pre-season outcomes rarely make or break a campaign, yet momentum matters. For Liverpool, a sharp showing can generate positivity after last season’s inconsistent first half. For Preston, a competitive performance against Champions League regulars could instil belief that a play-off push is realistic. Lowe noted, “If my lads can handle the press and pace of Liverpool, they can handle anyone in the Championship.”

Fans’ reaction so far

Social media has been awash with empathy. Hashtags #YNWA and #RIPDiogo trended worldwide within minutes of the news breaking. Many Preston supporters have posted images of scarves they plan to swap with visiting fans as a gesture of solidarity. One message circulating on X (formerly Twitter) reads: “Rivalry stops when a family mourns. Sunday we sing together.”

How to follow the action live

• TV: LFCTV (global) and PNE iFollow (UK & Ireland)
• Radio: BBC Radio Merseyside and BBC Radio Lancashire
• Online: Live text on both official club sites plus Goal, BBC Sport, and Sky Sports
• Social: Real-time updates via @LFC and @pnefc on X, Instagram, and Threads

Could the match still be postponed?

Officials insist the decision is final barring unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather. However, contingency dates have been pencilled in for mid-week should further grief counselling recommend a delay. Klopp reiterated that the squad stands united: “We play for Diogo, we play for the supporters, and we play for the joy of football he embodied.”

Charitable angle

All match-worn shirts will be auctioned, with proceeds donated to the Diogo Jota Foundation, a charity the forward launched last year to support underprivileged children in Porto and Liverpool. Fans watching from home can contribute via a QR code displayed throughout the broadcast.

Short opinion: why playing matters

Football often mirrors life’s highs and lows. Continuing with the Liverpool vs Preston friendly turns grief into collective tribute, allowing supporters to process loss together rather than alone. In that sense, Sunday’s game is about far more than match fitness; it is a reminder that the sport’s greatest strength is community.