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Liverpool’s opening friendly of the 2025-26 pre-season will take place as scheduled this Sunday, July 13, when Arne Slot’s side visit Championship outfit Preston North End at Deepdale (3 pm BST).

The decision follows “sensitive talks” between both clubs, extensive internal consultations and a shared desire to honour the memory of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva appropriately.

James Pearce of the Athletic has confirmed the decision.

Within days of the tragic car accident in northern Spain last Thursday that claimed the lives of Jota and his brother, Liverpool’s leadership, players and staff were consulted on whether to fulfil the fixture.

After a careful process involving the manager, senior squad members and support personnel, the decision was made to go ahead with the fixture as planned.

Preston North End officials also engaged closely with their Anfield counterparts to plan pre-match tributes for Liverpool’s No.10.

ITV holds the free-to-air rights to Sunday’s fixture in the UK – a scheduling decision made well before the tragedy struck.

The broadcaster has confirmed the live transmission will go ahead, allowing supporters nationwide to witness what is expected to be a deeply emotional occasion.

Meanwhile, at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre in Kirkby, sports psychologist Lee Richardson and other mental-wellbeing specialists have been engaged to support players and staff as they return to action under profound emotional strain.

Richardson’s role will include facilitating group discussions, individual counselling and on-site match-day support to help the squad navigate grief.

Most senior Reds reported back for pre-season training on Tuesday, arriving to a Kirkby complex marked by floral tributes echoing those at Anfield.

Slot himself, accompanied by his wife Mirjam, paid respects at the shrine outside the stadium this weel, leaving a message reading, “Diogo, we had the same dream and we fulfilled it together?