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Liverpool began their pre-season ahead of the defence of their Premier League crown with a trip to Championship side Preston North End in rather unprecedented circumstances, with the backdrop of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota still very much at the forefront of our thoughts.
The Lancashire club gave out free programmes honouring both Jota and his brother Andre Silva, before a moving tribute pre-match with a wreath placed in front of the away end as the Anfield anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone rang around the stadium.
Gestures that won’t be forgotten as Liverpool as a whole continues to come to terms with the loss of the man who will now forever be our number 20.
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On the pitch, it was as is so often the case, an unrecognisable Reds’ side named by Arne Slot included the likes of Rio Ngumoha, Luca Stephenson and Trey Nyoni, whilst Giorgi Mamardashvili made his debut as Mohamed Salah captained.
The bench was filled with a combination of youth and experience, but Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz and Luis Diaz were among the big-name absentees.
Lightning-quick winger Ngumoha was the first to impress, dancing inside on a couple of occasions, opting for the pass the first time before seeing a shot deflected wide moments later, early signs of a young player playing without fear.
The 20-minute mark brought about a resounding rendition of “Oh, he wears the number 20” from the travelling Kop, superbly accompanied by the home fans standing up to applaud.
Shortly before the 40th minute, Conor Bradley was the first name on the scoresheet after both Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa did well in the build-up before the Northern Irishman forced home the finish at the backpost.
Preston created two meaningful chances as half time approached, failing to convert on separate occasions at Mamardashvili’s right-hand post as the hosts rallied in an attempt to end an even half with the scores level.
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It was all change for The Reds at the break as an entirely new XI took to the field, containing the likes of Darwin Nunez, Ben Doak, Cody Gakpo and summer additions Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, plus a return to Deepdale for Freddie Woodman.
Soon after the break, Nunez doubled the lead with a well-taken goal after rounding the goalkeeper before paying tribute to Diogo with his iconic PlayStation celebration in front of the away end.
Both full-backs were called upon defensively as Kerkez won the ball back on the byline before Frimpong showed off his recovery pace to get back and thwart a potentially dangerous counter-attack.
As the second drinks break stopped play midway through the first half, Preston themselves rang the changes with seven subs brought on with the scoreline still two-nil to Slot’s side.
The ever slippery Doak was at it again down the right, beating his man on numerous occasions before seemingly being hauled to the ground only for the referee to wave play on as opposed to awarding what appeared to be a blatant penalty.
Preston eventually got their goal when Liam Lindsay rose highest to head home to halve the deficit and cause a stir in the home supporters that very nearly inspired a second goal just moments later, with every Woodman touch jeered.
But, with time running out and the hosts sensing a credible draw, Cody Gakpo put an end to the contest with Liverpool’s third, the play button on another rendition of Diogo’s song from the away end as a visibly emotional Dutchman walked back to his position.
The match started in the same manner that it ended, with what is certain to be the emotional theme tune to the entire campaign as the Liverpool fans belted out a 6-minute long Diogo Jota song with the entire squad and staff watching on.
On the pitch, business as usual, off it, anything but.
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