Liverpool’s Preston Return Will Be Anything But Routine

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Grief still close to the surface

Liverpool’s visit to Deepdale on Sunday will be more than a pre-season fixture. For the first time since the tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre, the club returns to the pitch. This match against Preston will serve not as a normal warm-up, but as the start of a collective grieving process and a symbolic step forward.

Jota’s absence will be deeply felt. He was not just a sharp and relentless forward, but someone who fully embodied the spirit of Liverpool FC. There will be tributes, there may be tears, and for many fans this will be the first friendly they watch in years. The broadcast on ITV1 reflects the broader interest and emotional investment surrounding this game.

Purpose alongside pain

The club still has a title to defend. And though grieving cannot be rushed, the players must begin again. Arne Slot, entering his second season after a historic title win, is likely to field a mix of experience and youth. Florian Wirtz could make his long-awaited debut, with Salah and Gakpo in support. Mamardashvili is expected to start in goal, with new faces like Frimpong and Kerkez in line to feature.

This match offers a chance to reset, to assess the squad, and to slowly rebuild rhythm. But football will feel secondary. This is about reuniting as a club and moving forward together.

Memory in motion

Liverpool are a club that carries its memories forward. Jota will not be forgotten. His legacy will be felt in how this team responds, how it plays, and how it carries itself in the months ahead. At Deepdale, football becomes more than competition. It becomes connection.