The Reds played football for the first time since the tragic loss of Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva
The scenes at Deepdale during Saturday’s first pre-season friendly were emotional ones, with the clubs, players, and fans paying tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva.
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Following warm-ups, Preston North End captain Benjamin Whiteman crossed the pitch and laid a memorial wreath at the foot of the away end, which was covered with banners, signs, and scarves honoring Jota. Whiteman’s respects were received very well from the traveling Kop.
Preston North End also produced a matchday program dedicated to Jota and Silva, a classy touch from the hosts. The program was free to all fans who attended.
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There was an impeccably observed minute of silence before the match, flanked on either side by airings of Jota’s famous song. Both club’s anthems were also sung before the match.
Jota’s song was sung again at the 20th minute mark, and was carried for minutes after. It re-emerged in patches throughout, before being carried again for some time in the final 20 minutes.
All three goalscorers paid their respects to their late teammate and friend, with Conor Bradley pointing to the sky in a muted celebration following his goal, and Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo both running through the more famous celebrations from the Portuguese.
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After the match, Liverpool staff and players gathered by the away end as the song was sung repeatedly, with much emotion on show.
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Playing again following such a personal loss for many at the club is certainly complicated, and players and staff will of course react differently as the days, weeks, and months progress.
Prior to the match, Arne Slot spoke at length about Jota, and about the challenges of the current situation.
It’s very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate. What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate [for] what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there’s a wrong decision? And I’ve said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself, it didn’t matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself. So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh; if we want to cry we’re going to cry. If they want to train they can train, if they don’t want to train they can not train. But be yourself, don’t think you have to be different than your emotions tell you.
From where I sit, everything around the first pre-season match was handled perfectly, with class and dignity and togetherness.