Liverpool played a match for the first time since last season on Sunday, although football was far from most people’s minds. The focus of the squad, staff and supporters at Preston North End was on remembering Diogo Jota and his brother Andre, just as it had been all week at the Kirkby training base.

Former Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson has blamed the club for failing to tie Trent Alexander-Arnold down to a new deal prior to his Real Madrid transfer. The academy graduate ended his 21-year association with the Reds this summer and moved to Spain after failing to agree fresh terms.

Liverpool's pre-season campaign kicks off with a trip to Preston and there are a number of players who have a point to prove ahead of the new Premier League season

Trent Alexander-Arnold said former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota said he found it "difficult" to play in Real Madrid's Club World Cup quarterfinal win.

Trent Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota after helping Real Madrid reach the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals

Liverpool are not budging from their asking price for Ibrahima Konate despite Real Madrid having a different valuation, according to reports.

Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund carried them into the semi-finals. Yet for those who knew Jota, the scoreline felt secondary. Joao Cancelo and Ruben Neves, Jota’s compatriots and fellow mourners, had also featured the day before for Al Hilal against Fluminense, wearing their own sorrow like a second skin.

The visiting supporters timed their first chant for Jota 20 minutes prior to kick-off, just before You’ll Never Walk Alone was sung with tender power by Claudio Rose Maguire, the wife of former Preston player Sean. It was performed as a requiem while the home captain, Ben Whiteman, laid a wreath in front of Liverpool’s supporters.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot says his players should be themselves and follow their emotions as they come to terms with the death of team-mate Diogo Jota.

According to a report from Defensa Central, Atletico Madrid have made a €40 million bid for Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konaté. The 26-year-old France international, who is out of contract in 2026, has emerged as a high-priority target for Diego Simeone as the Spanish giants look to strengthen their backline this summer.