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Liverpool Football Club

Liverpool are set to play their first game of the new season against Preston North End on Sunday.

Pre-season, a time normally filled with optimism and a positive atmosphere, as players come back together to tell stories about their summer adventures as well as welcoming new faces, it will be a different feeling that hangs over the players this year.

The club is in mourning after the tragic loss of one of their most popular players, a pillar of strength within the team, he has now left a hole that can never be filled.

Following the loss of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, Liverpool have understandably began pre-season behind closed doors, with no cameras to disturb the players from what is sure to be an extremely difficult time for them.

When ITV acquired the rights to broadcast Liverpool’s first game of the new season, they would never have expected for it to be under these circumstances.

Now, it is set to be a hugely emotional day for all involved, with tributes planned to be carried out to honour Diogo Jota, the footballer and person who meant so much to so many.

Liverpool Football Club have confirmed that You’ll Never Walk Alone will be played before kick-off, while Liverpool representatives will lay a wreath in front of the away end.

Deepdale will observe a minute’s silence before the game, while tributes will be displayed on the big screen and pitch side LEDs.

Both sets of players will wear black armbands to honour Diogo Jota and his younger brother.

Along with the game being free to air on ITV1, Liverpool’s pre-match buildup will also be free-to-air on the club’s social media channels and on YouTube.

The game was only cleared to go ahead earlier this week following consultation with players and staff after their return to Kirby.

A new-look Liverpool will take to the field on Sunday, with Theo Squires of the Liverpool Echo revealing that debuts for the new signings including Florian Wirtz are set to be handed out.

But you feel as if the football won’t be the primary focus tomorrow, as a hurt football club begin their long road to recovery, as they come to terms with an unimaginable loss.

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