Liverpool and Loss: Football's Role When the Unthinkable Happens
This is an abridged version; the full article is available free on our 'It Was Always… Liverpool' Substack page:
Remembering in Motion
Football rarely stands still. Even in the shadow of grief, the game carries forward. For Liverpool, the pre-season friendly at Preston North End comes with heavy hearts following the tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. The loss hangs over the squad, yet football has a way of restoring, of pulling people back together. Those who lived through past traumas know this deeply.
Advertisement
Shadows of 1985
In 1985, Liverpool fans and players were reeling from the disaster at Heysel. The scale of the tragedy, and the moral reckoning that followed, changed everything. Supporters were stared at like criminals. A simple train change at Preston felt hostile. The shame and judgement were undeniable. Yet the following season, Liverpool went on to win the league and FA Cup double. It did not erase what happened, but it reminded everyone that the game can help rebuild broken spirits.
Healing After Hillsborough
Hillsborough, in 1989, brought the pain home. The deaths of 97 fans at the FA Cup semi-final cut deeper than anything before. In the aftermath, playing football felt almost disrespectful. But the first match back, away at Celtic, was transformative. Fans were not segregated, they stood together. When You'll Never Walk Alone echoed around the ground, it became a moment of unity and shared humanity. In that space, the healing began.
Advertisement
New Faces, Same Pain
Jota's death casts a long shadow over the new arrivals at Anfield. Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are joining a club filled with sorrow. They will feel it too, even if they did not know him. Arne Slot must guide his players through both football and mourning. Playing again helps. It does not mean moving on, it means carrying on. Jota will be remembered with love.
As for justice, Liverpool has not forgotten the failures that followed Hillsborough. The Hillsborough Law remains a live issue. Promises have been made, but real action is overdue. The families and city are watching closely.
Liverpool remembers. Always.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool vs AC Milan: Friendly prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds
Liverpool continue their preparations for the 2025-26 season with a high-profile friendly against AC Milan in Hong Kong this weekend. The Reds departed for Asia last Sunday after thrashing Stoke City in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the AXA training centre. Arne Slot's side can expect to face a step up in opposition on Saturday, though supporters will be excited to get a first glimpse of a new signing as well as seeing the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez in action once again. This is the first of two matches in Asia for the reigning Premier League champions as they are coming up against Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan next week. Milan head into the friendly on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in midweek as Max Allegri - back for a second spell in charge - gets to work on the squad he inherited over the summer. Date, kick-off time and venue Liverpool vs AC Milan is scheduled for a 12.30pm BST kick-off (UK time) on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The match will take place at the Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong. Where to watch Liverpool vs AC Milan TV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised live. Live stream: Viewers will be able to stream the game live on All Red Video. A monthly subscription costs £4.99. Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport's live blog! Liverpool vs AC Milan team news Liverpool initially named a 29-man squad for their Asia tour, but there has since been a major addition with Hugo Ekitike completing his move from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Frenchman has joined up with his new teammates in Hong Kong and should be in line to make an appearance on Saturday. Alisson, Alexis MacAllister and Luis Diaz could some minutes under their belts, while talented youngster Rio Ngumoha could get another chance to impress after scoring against Stoke last time out. Milan have reported no fresh injury concerns following the loss to Arsenal but they did confirm the signing of Pervis Estupinan from Brighton on Thursday and it remains to be seen if he will be in contention for a debut against Liverpool. Liverpool vs AC Milan prediction Milan, for large spells, gave a good account of themselves against Arsenal but lacked a cutting edge in attack. That was to be expected with no senior centre-forward named in the tour squad. Coming up against a Liverpool team that are top-heavy in attack will represent a different task for the Serie A giants entirely. Of course, the result is not important as Slot will be using this fixture to build up match fitness for his player and also experiment with formation and personnel. Still, the Reds should have too much quality. Liverpool to win, 3-0. Head to head (h2h) history and results These two European giants traded Champions League final wins in 2005 and 2007 but it is Liverpool who have won the last three meetings in a row. Liverpool wins: 3 AC Milan wins: 1 Draws: 1 Liverpool vs AC Milan match odds Liverpool to win: TBC AC Milan to win: TBC Draw: TBC Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Washington Post
13 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Arsenal completes signing of Spain U21 defender Cristhian Mosquera
LONDON — Cristhian Mosquera became Arsenal's fifth signing of the off season on Thursday after completing a move from Valencia. The Spain Under 21 defender cost a reported 13 million pounds ($17.5 million) and signed a five-year deal with the option of a further 12 months. 'We identified Cristhian as one of the strongest young defenders in European football, and he is an important signing for our future,' Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta said.
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool's show of solidarity as Diogo Jota honoured on emotional day
A friendly may never have meant so much. As Liverpool visited Preston for the first pre-season game of their summer, heads were elsewhere. This was the start of a Premier League title defence with over £200million of new signings expected to debut, but that all felt totally insignificant on a day when tributes were paid to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva. Emotions are still raw but, with a club in mourning, Liverpool showed their solidarity as players and supporters remembered Jota as the team returned to action. This day meant a lot to Liverpool, that much was made clear by the walk to Deepdale. Flags bearing Jota's name and the lyrics to his song adorned pub windows, while many donned his No20 shirt. Merchandise vans were decorated with the No20. Some Preston supporters even made a point of wearing red. Liverpool fans packed the Bill Shankly stand to the rafters long before kick-off. Claudia Rose Maguire led the stadium in signing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and supporters sang tirelessly throughout the match. They were in their fullest voice at full-time. After goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez, and Cody Gakpo wrapped up a 3-1 win, the full Liverpool camp faced the Bill Shankly stand and joined the away fans in song. Arne Slot has challenged his squad to channel their memories of their team-mate. 'We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go,' said Slot. To collectively process the loss of Jota will take time. But players, supporters and coaches are united as they attempt to come to terms with his death.
