**Liverpool to commemorate Jota at Preston friendly**

Diogo Jota's departure from Liverpool earlier this month has undoubtedly left a void for Anfield, but on Sunday, the club will pay tribute to the Portuguese winger whose impact during his five-and-a-half seasons was profound and deeply felt. Liverpool's visit to Preston North End for their season opener pre-season friendly will serve as a poignant stage for commemorating Jota, with specific tributes planned well aware of the deep affection fans have for the player who scored 43 goals across all competitions and endears more than most in the red shirt. His journey from a relatively unknown young talent to a Ballon d'Or finalist marked him as one of the most exciting forwards of his generation, even before he departed for Real Madrid.

Reports suggest the tribute will extend beyond mere acknowledgment; it's understood several nods to the former Liverpool striker could be incorporated into various game-day activities, although the specifics are perhaps best left as part of the surprise element for fans attending. Whether this includes modified pitch markings, special commentary during the match, or moments on the pitch involving the team itself is not yet confirmed, but the intent is clear: to honour Jota's contribution and facilitate a collective farewell for the entire Reds family, many of whose members still vividly remember his lightning pace and clinical finishing.

The news adds another layer of significance to Sunday's fixture, transforming it from just another pre-season preparation game against non-league opposition into a meaningful tribute match for the Anfield faithful. The ticket allocation and anticipated attendance from the Liverpool core support base are likely to be considerably higher than usual for a friendly visit. While manager Jürgen Klopp and the team are understandably focused on preparing for the harsh realities of the Premier League season opener against Arsenal at Anfield the following week, showing respect for a player who wore the famous shirt offers valuable emotional catharsis. It reinforces the club's connection to its history and outgoing talent, a narrative threads through Anfield culture, but especially poignant here given the respectful farewell many hope Klopp can engineer before Jota formally announces his retirement.

Furthermore, this event presents an opportunity for some of the current Liverpool squad members who benefited immensely from Jota's presence on the field during their development to participate in the occasion. Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson Becker are among those who frequently cited playing alongside Jota as a career-defining experience, enhancing their world-class status through the system he operated within. Now established figures themselves sometimes overlooked by fans for past players in the moment, a rare moment like this could see some of them subtly acknowledge Jota, perhaps lining up differently as a team joke, or even extending a collective gesture during the warm-up. It serves as a potent reminder of their shared history and reinforces the foundation built upon Liverpool's academy success, all filtered through the brilliance of one electrifying attacker.

There's also anticipation surrounding which members of the Preston North End squad might receive a standing ovation from the visiting contingent. Liverpool fans will be hoping to see a familiar face potentially make the trip – defender Joel Gomez, who won three consecutive Premier Leagues with the club while Jota was scoring vital goals, is one name associated with future Anfield visits, and his presence would be an added cherry on top. For the current visiting side, seeing familiar faces in green and gold amidst a sea of scarves might be a particularly poignant moment for N-E-Ds travelling down as well. In essence, the friendly expertly becomes a two-part spectacle: a test match for the first competitive outing against domestic opponents, coupled with an unspoken, collective expression of love for a Liverpool legend moving onto the next chapter.