Liverpool’s opening pre-season friendly away to Preston will go ahead as planned after consulting players and staff following the death of Diogo Jota.
The decision was made to consult players and staff before any final call on whether they would fulfil their opening friendly of the summer.
But Liverpool’s clash with Preston at Deepdale will go ahead as planned at 3pm (BST) on Sunday.
The game will be broadcast live on ITV1 in the UK, which had been the case prior to Jota’s death.
Jota had been travelling back for pre-season when his vehicle crashed in northern Spain last Thursday morning. He was laid to rest alongside his brother, Andre Silva, on Saturday.
Further tributes will be paid to the No. 20 on what will be a highly emotional afternoon for all involved.
It remains to be seen which players will be involved following their return for pre-season, with Jota’s death having a profound affect on his teammates.
Members of Liverpool’s squad, coaches and club officials attended the funeral in Gondomar before a delayed start to pre-season at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday.
In his tribute to Jota, Mohamed Salah spoke of how the No. 20’s tragic passing had left him “frightened of going back to Liverpool after the break.”
“I am truly lost for words,” Salah penned.
“Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break.
“Team mates come and go but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.
“My thoughts are with his wife, his children, and of course his parents who suddenly lost their children.
“Those close to Diogo and his brother Andre need all the support they can get. They will never be forgotten.”
The clash with Championship side Preston could serve as an opportunity for the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili to make their unofficial debuts for Liverpool.
Frimpong was among the first players spotted arriving at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday and has already settled back in the northwest following his move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Two players who definitely won’t be involved, however, are Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton, with the pair granted an extended break following their success with England at the U21 Euros.
A new mural for Jota
A new mural is already underway near Anfield, with fans invited to write their messages and tributes before the final design is completed.
It is located on Sybil Road, near to the Main Stand.
Further murals are also in the works.
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