The Reds’ first match since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva was preceded by several moving tributes to the brothers, who lost their lives last week.
Arne Slot opted to field two separate XIs in each half at Deepdale on Sunday afternoon, with the first-half line-up featuring Giorgi Mamardashvili and the second-half team including Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
Conor Bradley opened the scoring soon after the half-hour mark, Darwin Nunez made it 2-0 in the early stages of the second period and Cody Gakpo added a third late on, after Liam Lindsay had replied for Preston.
The Premier League champions therefore began preparing for 2025-26 by winning a game that will mainly be remembered for honouring Diogo and Andre.
Team news
First-half team: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Szoboszlai, Salah, Chiesa, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Ngumoha, Bradley, Stephenson, Nyoni.
Second-half team: Woodman, Endo, Nunez, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Doak, Kerkez, Frimpong, Nallo, Koumas.
Unused subs: Pecsi, Morrison, Pilling.
First half
After an impeccably observed period of silence, Liverpool’s pre-season programme began and it was Rio Ngumoha – starting on the left of the front three, with Federico Chiesa central and captain Mohamed Salah on the right – who offered their primary early threat.
Ngumoha immediately showed his willingness to drive at his full-back and, a quarter of an hour in, cut inside and shot after the pitch had been opened up by a trademark Ryan Gravenberch turn in midfield.
Chiesa was thwarted by a fine last-ditch challenge by Preston defender Lewis Gibson, whose initial misjudgement on the halfway line had presented the Reds’ No.14 with an opportunity to bear down on goal.
On the 20-minute mark, the whole stadium rose to applaud as an image of Diogo and Andre was displayed on the big screen. Our No.20 for eternity was duly honoured by a near-10-minute rendition of his song, which was chanted heartily, with pride and love, by those in the away end.
Then, after Dominik Szoboszlai had seen an effort saved, the champions’ first goal of the summer was scored by Bradley.
Ngumoha was again involved, the teenager this time linking up with Chiesa, who in turn sought out Szoboszlai. The No.8’s attempt on goal then found its way to Bradley, who finished with ease at the back post.
