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Liverpool will face Preston North End in a friendly at Deepdale on July 13(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool’s opening pre-season friendly away at Preston North End will go ahead as planned after sensitive talks between the two clubs following the tragic death of Diogo Jota.

The Portuguese was killed in a car crash, along with his brother, Andre Silva, in the early hours of Thursday (July 3).

The match at Deepdale, kicking off at 3pm on Sunday 13 July, will be the Reds’ first since the passing of the forward, who was laid to rest alongside his brother in their hometown of Gondomar on Saturday (July 5).

Liverpool reported back to the AXA Training Centre for the start of pre-season training on Tuesday (July 8), with the mood understandably a sombre one at the Reds’ base in Kirkby.

READ MORE:Liverpool begin pre-season preparations at AXA Training CentreREAD MORE:Arne Slot's poignant Diogo Jota note as Liverpool boss and Michael Edwards place Anfield flowers

The first phase of players had initially been due to report to the AXA Training Centre on Friday (July 4) ahead of a larger contingent returning on Monday (July 7).

However, Liverpool took the decision to postpone the start of their pre-season training schedule following Jota’s passing.

Slot’s squad were instead granted extra time off to process the devastating news of their team-mate’s passing with the majority of players travelling to Portugal to attend his funeral.

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And after consultations with Reds players and staff, along with sensitive talks between both Liverpool and Preston, it has been decided that Sunday’s friendly at Deepdale will now go ahead.

It is understood that the Championship outfit are planning tributes in honour of Jota, but will be guided by Liverpool ahead of what is set to be an emotional occasion.

The game is set to be televised on ITV 1.

With coverage getting underway at 2.50pm, Joe Speight and former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock are set to provide commentary, with the programme then concluding at 5.10pm.

The ECHO understands that the broadcaster’s intention to air the Premier League champions’ first friendly of the summer was made long before Jota’s tragic passing.

It is understood that a deal was agreed in principle before the end of June, before a final agreement was struck to broadcast the game early last week.

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Consequently, it is stressed that ITV’s broadcasting of the match, which now carries far greater meaning and public interest, is sadly an unfortunate coincidence.