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View image in fullscreenLiverpool and Preston players and fans remember ‘champion’ Diogo Jota

As Liverpool play their first game since the forward’s tragic death, Arne Slot says the best way to move on is to be ‘like Jota was’

The first rendition of “Oh, his name is Diogo” came 20 minutes before kick-off and, 20 minutes into Liverpool’s first game since the tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, the entire crowd at Preston’s Deepdale stadium stood to honour their memory.

It was the aftermath of a poignant and important afternoon for Liverpool that left the deepest impression, however.

For seven minutes after the pre-season friendly, staged 10 days after the brothers were killed in a car accident in north-western Spain, Liverpool fans in the Bill Shankly Stand sang Jota’s name on repeat.

And for those seven minutes Liverpool’s players, coaches and backroom staff stood facing their fans and clapped in unison with the tribute.

The connection and the release, if only brief and only temporary, vindicated Liverpool’s decision to get back to work and play.

Liverpool retire No 20 shirt in honour of Diogo Jota after forward’s deathRead more

Deepdale delivered thoughtful tributes throughout Liverpool’s 3-1 win.

Preston’s captain, Ben Whiteman, walked out alone before kick-off carrying a wreath he laid in front of the away fans, while You’ll Never Walk Alone was sung beautifully and an image of Jota and Silva from their Porto days filled the giant screen.

Understandably, Liverpool did not conduct any pre- or post-match interviews but Arne Slot spoke movingly to the club’s in-house media before the game.

Slot added that the support Liverpool have received not only from their own fans but from Everton, from around the country and across the world meant that “to represent this club in this city now even means more to me and to my wife than it did before”.

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Slot’s take on the friendly itself was powerful.
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