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The singer who performed before Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Preston has admitted she was afraid she would “burst into tears” during her tribute to Diogo Jota.

The Reds played their first game since the death of their No.20 and his brother Andre Silva on Sunday, with tributes being paid to Jota throughout the day at Deepdale.

Supporters sang the forward’s name all through the game, leading to some emotional scenes at full-time as Liverpool’s players watched on.

Before kick-off, Preston paid its own tribute with a number of gestures, including from Claudia Rose Maguire, who sang a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone in honor of Jota.

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Maguire, wife of former Preston star Sean, also sang the hosts’ club anthem Can’t Help Falling In Love With You before the Reds’ own song, with North End captain Ben Whiteman laying a wreath in front of the traveling supporters in the Bill Shankly Kop.

Maguire has now told BBC Radio Lancashire how she “didn’t want to look at the fans” during her performance out of the fear she “would have just burst into tears.”

"Hearing them sing along is something that I will remember for ever," she said.



A big screen shows a tribute to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva during Preston vs Liverpool

She went on to admit that being asked to perform both songs before the game “was probably the scariest phone call I’ve ever had”, having only been set to sing Preston’s anthem originally.

"Then you get told you'll be singing the biggest song ever, You'll Never Walk Alone," she added.

"The whole weekend in my mum and dad's house I just sang that and the neighbours must have just been pulling their ears out asking 'why is she singing this song over and over again?'

"I just wanted to do it justice and have it perfectly sung."

The gestures from Maguire and Preston though were warmly received by the Reds fans in attendance, with Liverpool passing on its gratitude after the game.

“We send our deepest appreciation and thanks to everyone at Preston North End for the love, care and respect shown in their tributes to Diogo and Andre today, and for the welcome we received at Deepdale,” the club wrote in a statement on social media.

Once her performance had ended and she looked round at the crowd, Maguire admits she felt like she “was going to fall to the floor because of all the nerves and the relief.”

“All the messages and comments I’ve got from fans has just been so overwhelming and I’m just so grateful for them,” she added.