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Luca Stephenson and Darwin Nunez (R) applauds the fans following the pre-season friendly football match between Preston North End and Liverpool at Deepdale stadium in Preston (Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) )

Darwin Nunez sent a poignant message to Diogo Jota as he paid tribute to his late Liverpool team-mate after scoring in their friendly win over Preston North End.

The match marked the Reds’ first game following the Portuguese’s death in a car crash, along with his brother, Andre Silva, on July 3.

It was an emotional day at Deepdale as Liverpool returned to the pitch, with a number of tributes paid to the Portuguese pair ahead of kick-off.

Meanwhile, the Reds travelling support sang Jota’s popular chant throughout, culminating in a lengthy rendition following the final whistle as Arne Slot’s squad clapped along in front of them.

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Nunez scored Liverpool’s second goal of the afternoon as they ran out 3-1 winners, having been introduced as a half-time substitute.

Running onto a weak back-pass, he rounded goalkeeper Daniel Iversen before rolling home into the unguarded net.

The Uruguayan then recreated two of Jota’s goal celebrations in honour of the Portuguese, performing the baby shark celebration before sitting down and doing the forward’s memorable gamer celebration.

Nunez would then point to the sky in memory of Jota, with his celebrations earning loud cheers from the travelling support.

The striker has now paid a further tribute to his late team-mate on social media.

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After the game he shared pictures of his celebrations, along with an image of the Uruguayan celebrating with Jota when the Portuguese first celebrated with the gamer celebration against Tottenham Hotspur back in April 2023.

Posting on Instagram, Nunez wrote: “I know you celebrated with me today like you did that time”.

He then posted a prayer emoji and video games controller emoji at the end of his post, in memory of Jota.


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