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Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom sent a heartfelt message to Liverpool and Arne Slot after Sunday’s emotional pre-season friendly at Deepdale.

The decision to proceed with the game was made after a consultation involving players and staff at the start of last week.

It marked the first match since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva, who lost their lives last week.

Liverpool fielded two separate XIs in each half, with the first-half line-up featuring Giorgi Mamardashvili and the second-half team including Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez as well as Freddie Woodman.

Conor Bradley opened the scoring for the Premier League champions after the half-hour mark before Darwin Nunez made it 2-0 in the early stages of the second period.

Cody Gakpo added a third late on, after Liam Lindsay had reduced the deficit for Preston.

Speaking after the game, Heckingbottom thanked Arne Slot and the Reds for the friendly, which went ahead as planned.

“The eyes of the football world were on us and we wanted to represent ourselves, and the wider football world, in the correct way and pay our respects in the correct way,” Heckingbottom said.

I thanked Arne (Slot) for coming to the game.

But I’m proud of everyone who’s been involved in the planning of this.

“The fans, the behaviour, the way everyone showed their respect and also the players and staff.

It’s difficult.

“It’s a game of football and, listen, I’ll credit both sets of players, both sets of staff.

I can’t imagine how it is for the staff, players and families affected.

“I didn’t come out because I didn’t want to see that.

But, yes, I’m pleased with how everyone represented us and the wider football world.

“It puts things into perspective about life and football in general.