You don’t have to be a Liverpool fan to know one of legendary Reds manager Bill Shankly’s most famous quotes: “Football isn’t a matter of life and death, it’s much more important than that.”

Sadly, not for the first time, Liverpool has felt the futility of such words following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident last week (July 3).

It is now only nine days since the Portuguese pair’s death and already the Reds find themselves preparing for a return to action for the first time without their beloved forward.



But perhaps, as Liverpool prepare to travel to Preston North End on Sunday, football can at least make life a little bit more bearable for those in so much pain.

Liverpool FC squad emotional as they unite to pay tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva	Liverpool makes decision on Preston North End friendly following Diogo Jota death	Liverpool vs Preston: Diogo Jota and Andre Silva tributes officially confirmed

Both the Reds and Lilywhites have now announced how they will commemorate both Jota and Silva at Deepdale in what is set to be a hugely emotional affair.

Renditions of Can’t Help Falling In Love and You’ll Never Walk Alone will both be sung, while North End captain Ben Whiteman will lay a wreath in front of the visiting supporters in the Bill Shankly Kop, ahead of a minute’s silence just before kick-off.

During the minute’s silence, digital tributes will be displayed on the big screen and across LEDs at Deepdale.

Both sets of players will also wear black armbands in honour of Liverpool striker Jota and Silva, who was a player himself at Penafiel.

And that’s without mentioning the inevitable tributes that the travelling Reds support also have in mind.

Football was Jota and Silva’s lives.

And the sport is just as important to every one of Jota’s colleagues, who decided to fulfil their trip to Preston after consultation with players and staff after they reported back for pre-season on Tuesday (July 8).

These Liverpool players have achieved extraordinary things numerous times in recent years, often with Jota alongside them, but they now face their most difficult challenge yet as they return to action without the Portuguese - with his absence painfully glaring.

But the football pitch is their happy place as they all take to the field together.

They do so knowing they will at least have an entire Liverpool fanbase behind them.

As Jota’s friends, family and loved ones continue to grieve after this devastating loss, maybe the scenes that will unfold at Deepdale can at least provide some comfort too, reiterating just how much the Portuguese was loved far and beyond from his hometown of Gondomar.

Diogo Jota would want Liverpool to win.

And Diogo Jota would want Liverpool to go into the new season on a mission to defend their Premier League crown and challenge for every possible honour going.

As the Reds prepare to return to action, they will inevitably be motivated by a desire to ‘Do it for Diogo’.

In normal circumstances, Liverpool’s trip to Preston would carry immense excitement.

The Reds are returning to the field for the first time since holding aloft the Premier League trophy 48 days ago, and do so having already invested over £200m in their playing squad this summer.

They broke the British transfer to bring in Florian Wirtz in a deal worth up to £116m, and have also signed Milos Kerkez (£40m), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m), Giorgi Mamardashvili (£29m) and Armin Pecsi (£1.5m).

A visit to Deepdale could provide a first glance at such players in Liverpool red and a first look at Arne Slot’s new-look side.

But instead, sadness and loss will be the overwhelming feeling as the Reds look to find a way forward without one of their own, having seen him stolen away in the most heartbreaking of circumstances.

Liverpool Football Club has already dealt with far too many tragedies during its 133-year lifespan