Preston 1-3 Liverpool: Jota tribute sets tone for Reds victory | OneFootball

Liverpool secured a 3-1 win over Preston in their first pre-season game at Deepdale, following an emotional tribute to Diogo Jota before kick-off.

Conor Bradley’s first-half strike proved decisive, sending the visitors into the interval with a narrow lead as Preston offered little going forward.

Darwin Núñez doubled The Reds’ lead after rounding Daniel Iversen and calmly slotting the ball into the net. Just before full time, Liam Lindsay pulled one back for The Lilywhites, reigniting their hopes.

However, Cody Gakpo grabbed a late goal to seal the victory against the Championship side in their first game back ahead of the new season, kicking off their campaign on a positive note.

As it happened

Before kick-off, fans paid an emotional homage to Jota, with 6,000 Liverpool supporters filling the away end to celebrate their number 20.

Both sides looked to start quickly in search of the opening goal, but it was the hosts who appeared more lively going forward, creating the better chances.

However, The Reds had the first real chance of the game when Federico Chiesa raced towards goal, found space in the box, and fired a shot just wide of the left-hand post.

Arne Slot’s side continued to apply pressure, with Dominik Szoboszlai having a chance that was well blocked.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute after Rio Nyoni continued to impress, playing the ball to Chiesa, who delivered a dangerous cross into the six-yard box. Bradley was on hand to tap it in, with the ball deflecting off a Preston player to give the away side the lead.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side pushed for an equaliser just before half-time, with Milutin Osmajić coming close as he tested new Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, but The Reds held their lead going into the break.

Liverpool made a number of changes at half-time, with Núñez among those introduced – and he made an instant impact, scoring just eight minutes after coming on.

The striker rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home The Reds’ second goal of the afternoon, celebrating with Jota’s trademark celebration in front of the travelling support.

The game became passive as both sides eased into their first minutes of pre-season, with chances limited throughout.

Preston pushed for an equaliser and came closest in the 80th minute, when Daniel Jebbison found space in the box and forced substitute goalkeeper Freddie Woodman into a sharp low save, tipping the striker’s effort onto the bar.

Lindsay pulled one back for the Championship side just minutes after Jebbison’s chance, rising to meet a corner and powering a bullet header past Woodman to give Preston a lifeline.

However, Gakpo soon sealed the game for Liverpool in the 88th minute after beating Iversen from close range, as The Reds ran out 3-1 winners at Deepdale.

The result set the tone for their pre-season while giving new signings valuable minutes on the pitch.

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