Reds thank Preston for their 'love and respect'

LIVERPOOL sent an official message of thanks to Preston North End following the friendly at Deepdale.

- By THEO SQUIRES

Arne Slot's side ran out 3-1 winners over the Championship outfit on Sunday thanks to goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.

The match marked Liverpool's first game since the tragic death of Diogo Jota earlier this month after he was killed in a car crash, along with his brother, Andre Silva, on July 3.

The friendly went ahead following sensitive talks between the two clubs and after consultation with Liverpool players and staff following their return to the AXA Training Centre for preseason last week.

The game was inevitably a highly emotional occasion as the two clubs came together to pay their respects to both Jota and Silva.