Liverpool are back on the pitch today, and while it’s the first pre-season match of the summer, the mood is far from normal.

This isn’t just about preparing for a new campaign, it’s the club’s first game since the devastating passing of Diogo Jota, and emotions will be running high.

The match against Preston North End at Deepdale was only given the go-ahead after conversations were held with players and staff.

Everyone involved agreed that playing would be the right thing to do.

Liverpool FC confirm streaming details of Preston North End friendly	Who could play for Liverpool against Preston North End as pre-season begins	How Liverpool could lineup in first pre-season game against Preston North end

It’s a chance to honour Jota’s memory.

Tributes will take place before kick-off for both Diogo and his brother André, who also passed in the tragic incident.

There’s a quiet determination around the squad.

The players have only just returned to training, and fitness levels vary.

Some came back later than others.

Alisson, for example, only returned from Brazil late last week and then travelled to Portugal for Jota’s seventh-day mass—a ceremony that Luis Diaz also attended.

Head coach Arne Slot is not rushing anything.

His first few weeks back at the club have been about easing players back in, giving new signings a feel of the setup, and letting the younger players show what they can do.

This is not the finished product—it’s the start of a long season.

Several new names are now in the squad, including summer arrivals Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman, and Armin Pecsi.

Some of them are involved today, giving supporters a first real look at what Slot is trying to build.

The confirmed XI vs.

Preston is as follows:

Mamardashvili, Bradley, Gomez, Stephenson, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nyoni, Ngumoha and Chiesa.

Youngsters like Ben Doak, Trey Nyoni, and James McConnell may come off the bench.

Stefan Bajcetic is still sidelined after hamstring surgery in May.

It may be a friendly.

But today, Liverpool are playing with more than football on their minds.

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