Premier League champions Liverpool return to action for the first time since the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota and brother André Silva as they face Preston North End in a pre-season friendly at Deepdale. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the fixture.
Football has taken a back seat for a club in mourning. The sight of the entire first-team squad and members of Jota’s family paying tribute at Anfield on Friday afternoon was nothing short of heartbreaking, as the club also confirmed the retirement of Jota’s number 20 shirt in honour of their former forward.
Just how focused and prepared the squad will be heading into this new season remains to be seen but perhaps, for some, returning to the pitch will offer a brief but welcome distraction from the grief.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Preston North End vs Liverpool is scheduled for a 3pm BST kick-off on Sunday July 13, 2025. The match will take place at Preston’s Deepdale stadium.
How to watch
On TV: In the UK, the game will be televised live and for free on ITV1. Coverage is scheduled to start at 2:40pm BST ahead of the 3pm kick-off.
Live stream: Viewers can also follow the game live and for free online via the ITVX app or website, as well as the club’s All Red Video.
Team form & build-up
Preston, who finished 20th in the Championship last season with just 50 points and one spot above the relegation zone, have already played two pre-season friendlies — a 2-1 loss to Bamber Bridge and a 1-0 win over Chorley. However, they are winless in their last five home fixtures at Deepdale, losing three.
In contrast, Liverpool begin their preparations for the 2025–26 campaign fresh from a dominant title-winning season, which they wrapped up with four games to spare. The Reds ended last term with the Premier League’s best attacking record (86 goals) and the second-best defensive record (41 conceded), behind only Arsenal.
Slot’s side were victorious in all five of their pre-season games ahead of the 2024–25 season. Though they lost three of their final four away league games, the title had already been secured, likely influencing team selection and performance.
Liverpool fans tuning in will not only witness emotional tributes to Jota, but also have the chance to watch their team’s exciting new era under Slot begin following a summer of over £200 million in transfer investment, including the debut of club-record signing Florian Wirtz.
The German’s arrival captured imaginations and seeing him in red shirt for the first time is an exciting prospect. The same can be said of new full-back duo Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, arriving from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively. It’s expected that goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will also make his first appearance for the club.
Arne Slot is likely to change his entire starting XI at halftime, offering minutes to most of his squad.
Predicted lineups
Preston (3-1-4-2): Cornell; Storey, Lindsay, Gibson; Whiteman; Keane, Thordarson, Brady, Hughes; Osmajic, Evans
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvil, Bradley, Konate, Nallo, Robertson; Endo, McConnell; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Chiesa
Despite the celebratory tone of a new era and fresh faces, the occasion will be grounded in remembrance with tributes planned before kick-off. It will be a day of mixed emotions honouring a beloved player and family man, while also marking a new chapter for the Reds.
