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Benjamin Whiteman of Preston North End stands with a bouquet of flowers commemorating Diogo Jota who passed away with his brother Andre Silva (Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool sent an official message of thanks to Preston North End following the friendly at Deepdale.

Arne Slot’s side ran out 3-1 winners over the Championship outfit on Sunday (July 13) thanks to goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.

The match marked Liverpool’s first game since the tragic death of Diogo Jota earlier this month after he was killed in a car crash, along with his brother, Andre Silva, on July 3.

The friendly went ahead following sensitive talks between the two clubs and after consultation with Liverpool players and staff following their return to the AXA Training Centre for pre-season last week.

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The game was inevitably a highly emotional occasion as the two clubs came together to pay their respects to both Jota and Silva.

Ahead of kick-off, Claudia Rose Maguire – wife of former Preston player Sean – sung a rendition of Can’t Help Falling In Love, which was then followed by Liverpool’s anthem of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

North End captain Ben Whiteman then walked the length of the pitch to lay a wreath in front of the visiting supporters in the Bill Shankly Kop while the latter was sung, ahead of a minute’s silence just before kick-off.

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

Meanwhile, both sets of players wore black armbands in honour of Jota and Silva.

Liverpool supporters sung Jota’s popular chant numerous times throughout the afternoon, with the entire stadium standing to applaud during one 10-minute rendition in the game.

Nunez and Gakpo would both recreate Jota’s Baby Shark goal celebration when celebrating their own strikes at Deepdale, with the former also celebrating with the Portuguese’s gamer celebration.

And following the final whistle, Liverpool’s squad clapped along as supporters once again burst into a rendition of Jota’s chant on loop.

Following the emotional encounter at Deepdale, the Reds sent their thanks to Preston with an official message on social media.

Posting a picture of Whiteman standing in front of Liverpool supporters after laying a wreath, the club’s message read: “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.”

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Liverpool are next in action in 12 days’ time on July 26 as they face AC Milan in Hong Kong in the first match of their pre-season tour of Asia.