STEVIE'S TRIBUTE TO JOTA

Gerrard pays his respects as Reds opt to retire Diogo's No.20 shirt

- BY CHRIS MCKENNA @cmckennasport

STEVEN GERRARD made an emotional and silent tribute to tragic Kop star Diogo Jota yesterday.

And now Liverpool and Preston will pay tribute to the late Portugal forward tomorrow before their friendly at Deepdale.

The Reds will take to the pitch for the first time since Jota (right) was killed in a car crash last week.

The 28-year-old and his brother Andre Silva died when the vehicle they were in crashed on a motorway in Spain as he was returning to Merseyside.

Liverpool players returned to preseason training this week as they prepared for the new campaign.

Andy Robertson and Cody Gakpo, as well as manager Arne Slot, were among those who laid tributes outside Anfield, where fans continue to mourn the loss of the player.

And 45-year-old Gerrard was the latest club legend to pay his respects.