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And when the clock ticked over into the 20th minute, Liverpool supporters made it abundantly clear just how much Diogo Jota will forever mean to them.

The trademark song in salute of the Portuguese had already been aired on several occasions before and during the game.

This, though, was different, a chant that grew both in volume and feeling with each repeated airing from the 6,000 Reds gathered, rather appropriately, in the Bill Shankly Stand.

After a brief period, the home supporters and even some in the press box – including former Liverpool players Jason McAteer and Jay Spearing – joined in the applause that resonated far, far beyond those inside the stadium.

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Recent tragic events, though, meant it wasn’t just a record-equalling championship that was being marked but the passing of one of the players who ensured Liverpool’s second Premier League title in six seasons after Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash in Spain earlier this month.

Before the game, Preston captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath in front of the away end before Claudia Rose Maguire, wife of former Preston player Sean, performed moving renditions of home favourite Can’t Help Falling In Love and Liverpool anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.

If inevitably laced with sadness, there was a real sense throughout the match of Reds supporters being intent on honouring Jota and make clear to the family and friends of the late Portuguese of the genuine affection with which he has always been held among the fanbase.

That became evident after the final whistle.

With the image of Jota and his brother Andre Silva once again shown on the screen inside Deepdale, the away end, applauded by the gathered Liverpool players and coaching staff, once again saluted their Premier League winner.

An emotional moment of togetherness that lasted more than five minutes, it was brought to a conclusion when Reds fans broke into a chant of “Champions” followed by “Liverpool, Liverpool”.

Liverpool's defence of their Premier League crown will begin as scheduled at home to Bournemouth in less than five weeks.

Their players, backroom staff and the club in general therefore deserve credit for the manner in which they continue to respond to such a tragic and unparalleled situation

What has shone brightest is their humanity.

Understandably, the Reds were without a number of senior players at Preston, due to both the emotional toll of the last week and the obvious disruption caused to the regular pre-season schedule.

No risks were taken over the fitness of the squad, which meant club record £116million signing Florian Wirtz, skipper Virgil van Dijk, centre-back Ibrahima Konate and winger Luis Diaz were among those not involved.

Those who played applied themselves admirably, with Reds boss Slot selecting two completely different line-ups for each half.

Georgia international goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was the only new signing to start the game and had little to do as Liverpool, with 16-year-old left winger Rio Ngumoha impressing, were the dominant team and took the lead on 33 minutes.

Not for the first time, Ngumoha wriggled his way beyond defenders inside the area before Federico Chiesa took on possession and put the ball across goal, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s attempted shot becoming an assist for Bradley to sweep home at the far post.

Pre-season will be an important period for Bradley as he looks to become a more regular starter at right-back with Trent Alexander-Arnold now gone