Poignant tributes paid at Deepdale as Liverpool return after the passing of Diogo Jota

Nazira Yusuf
Diogo Jota celebrates
Credit: Peter Byrne / PA Images

A new season, a new chapter, but not the one Liverpool Football Club had envisioned to the start of their 2025/26 season.

However, the memory of Diogo Jota has inspired Arne Slot’s men to begin their pre-season campaign with a win thanks to goals from Connor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo in what was emotional afternoon at Deepdale.

The Reds returned to action for the first time since the devastating deaths of Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva, opening their pre-season with a deeply emotional occasion against Preston North End at Deepdale Stadium.

As CEO Billy Hogan had promised earlier in the week, the club made sure the day was about more than football. It was about remembrance, love, and unity for their former striker, collegue, friend and for Liverpool supporters — their number 20, Diogo Jota.

Speaking on Wednesday at the Anfield memorial, where he and other members of the club’s executive team paid their respects, Hogan described Jota as “An incredible footballer and a really good person.” He pledged that Liverpool would honour the lives of both Diogo and André, not just in the immediate aftermath, but in the months and seasons ahead.

Those promises were fulfilled at Deepdale on Sunday, where Liverpool made sure their first steps back onto the pitch were carried out with dignity and heart.

While longer term tributes are still being shaped, Sunday marked the first public moment of remembrance and Liverpool, as well as Preston, did exactly what they said they would: honour the memory of Diogo Jota with dignity, love, and the full heart of the club.

The hosts produced a special commemorative match-day programme, while, in a rare and profound gesture, Liverpool confirmed that Jota’s now-iconic number 20 shirt would be permanently at all levels of the club, from the men’s and women’s teams to the Academy.

The match began with heartfelt tributes, a powerful reflection of a club united in grief and strength. Fans, players, and staff joined in silence and song, standing together to remember their number 20.

Mohamed Salah captained Liverpool for the occasion, with new goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili making his debut. Meanwhile, senior figures such as Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, who had attended Jota’s funeral in Portugal, watched on from the stands.

“As we’ve seen in the messages, the flowers, and the cards — You’ll Never Walk Alone truly means something,” Hogan said earlier in the week. “Everyone feels so strongly about remembering these two young men, and we’ll continue to work with their families to ensure that legacy is carried forward.”

Supporters were in unison when the song even before kick-off. “Oh, his name is Diogo” rang out during the warm-up. Then, in a powerful pre-match tribute, Preston captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath in front of the travelling Kopites.

What followed was a spine-tingling rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” sung in full voice by both sets of fans alongside the performance of Claudia Rose Maguire, reinforcing the deep emotional tone of the day. The teams wore black armbands, and an observed an impeccable minute’s silence was held in memory of the two brothers.

In one of the most moving moments of the afternoon, as the clock struck 20 minutes, the travelling Kop erupted in a chant for their beloved forward — a powerful chorus of “Oh, he wears the number 20”. In a gesture that captured the spirit of football beyond rivalry, Preston fans rose in applause and joined in.

The Reds lead 1-0 at the break with a 33rd minute goal Connor Bradley on the 33rd minute, but Arne Slot made wholesale changes at halftime, the most notable being the introduction of Darwin Núñez. While speculation continues to swirl around his future at Anfield, this match carried deeper meaning.

The 26-year-old Uruguayan, who was close to Diogo Jota and attended his ex-teammate’s funeral, made his mark by rounding the goalkeeper to double Liverpool’s lead. In a powerful tribute, he celebrated with Jota’s iconic ‘FIFA’ celebration in front of the travelling Kop.

Liam Lindsey pulled a goal back for the hosts, Coady Gakpo restored the Reds two goal advantage with a stylish finish to give the Premier League Champions a perfect start to their 2025–26 pre-season campaign after a difficult week.

Hogan had said the club would take time to consider “medium and long-term” tributes in consultation with Jota’s family. Sunday was the first of many steps and Liverpool took it with grace and heart.

“We want to make sure we do the right thing and appropriately remember both André and Diogo,” Hogan said and, on this day, they did exactly that.

An emotional scene at full time saw Liverpool’s players stand gazing up at the away end, applauding in unison, as chants of Diogo Jota’s name echoed from the travelling Kop in a near 10-minute show of unity and appreciation. The supporters rallied behind their team, calling them to defend the Premier League title in honour of their number 20.

Today Liverpool didn’t just play a football match, they delivered a promise. They honoured Diogo with the love, respect, and unity he so richly deserved.

“He will take us to victory”,

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