Liverpool kick off their pre-season campaign on Saturday, July 13, with a trip to Deepdale to face Championship side Preston North End. It comes at a sombre time for the club and its supporters, and while the match itself may be a low-stakes friendly, it offers a chance for the Liverpool community to reconnect – on and off the pitch – under Arne Slot’s leadership as he enters his second year in charge.
Squad Rotation Expected
With a number of first-team players still on post-international duty leave – including Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton, who were involved in England’s U21 Euros triumph – Slot is expected to field a rotated and youth-heavy squad.
There could be minutes for Ben Doak, Bobby Clark, and potentially debut appearances for Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Giorgi Mamardashvili if paperwork and fitness allow. Senior figures like Joe Gomez may be asked to provide structure and experience.
This early fixture offers Slot a valuable, low-pressure opportunity to trial tactical ideas, assess depth, and begin the process of integrating his new signings into a matchday environment..
What to Expect from Preston
Preston finished 10th in the Championship 2023-2024 season under Ryan Lowe, as they played with intensity and discipline. The 2024-2025 season with new manager Paul Heckingbottom was a bit rocky and netted them the 20th place, narrowly avoiding relegation by just one point.
In a bid to rebuild their squad, PNE have brought in Daniel Iversen (goalkeeper), Pol Valentín (right-back), Jordan Thompson (midfield), and Stefán Teitur Thórdarson (midfield).
This friendly gives Preston fans an early look at how the new arrivals are settling in under Heckingbottom’s system. With tickets priced at around £25 for adults and £5 for under-11s, a solid crowd is expected at Deepdale.
Prediction & Betting Notes
Pre-season friendlies are tough to predict, but Liverpool’s technical quality and squad depth – even in a rotated setup – should shine through.
A 2-1 or 3-1 win for the Reds feels realistic, though past head to head records show Liverpool winning 2-0 in 2016, 2021, 2022 and an early 2016 draw of 2-2.
For fans keeping tabs on odds, markets, and early-season value, BookiesBonuses’ guide to the best UK football betting sites is a great place to compare offers and features ahead of the kickoff.
How to Watch
The match is set for 3:00 PM UK time. It will be broadcast live on ITV, available free-to-air for UK viewers.
