Latest news with #BenWhiteman
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool and Preston Showed Football's Power to Heal
The Grief That United Us All This is an abridged version; the full article is available on free our 'It Was Always… Liverpool' Substack page: When it was scheduled last month, Liverpool's pre-season match at Preston North End was expected to be a typical warm-up, focused on match fitness and emerging talents. Instead, it became a moment of collective remembrance following the tragic deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva just ten days prior. Advertisement From the early chants of 'Oh, his name is Diogo' to the solemn silence that followed the final whistle, this was a day when football became the language of grief. Liverpool supporters at Deepdale were not just fans, they were participants in a shared act of mourning. For seven minutes after full-time, Liverpool players stood facing the travelling supporters, applauding in rhythm with a crowd that was clearly feeling far more than football. It was spontaneous, respectful and deeply human. Photo: IMAGO Dignity in Every Gesture Preston North End and their fans played a full part in the tone of the day. Club captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath before kick-off and 'You'll Never Walk Alone' carried extra weight as it echoed around the ground. Flags, shirts and photographs created a visual tribute that needed no words. Advertisement Darwin Núñez honoured Jota by recreating his celebrations, while Cody Gakpo joined in with his own tribute. These moments felt natural, heartfelt and unfiltered. Personal Ways to Remember Supporters responded in different ways. Some sang, some stood silently, some raised Portuguese flags. Many marked the 20th minute with applause or reflection. There was no single way to grieve, and that may have been the most sincere tribute of all. What unfolded at Deepdale was not about tactics or results. Liverpool did win 3-1, but what mattered most was how people came together. It reminded us that football remains one of the last great shared spaces, capable of expressing emotion in ways no other arena can. Because sometimes football is the only place we know how to cry.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Liverpool honour late striker Jota with 3-1 win over Preston in first match since tragedy
LIVERPOOL, July 14 — Diogo Jota was hailed 'a champion' yesterday by Liverpool manager Arne Slot as the Reds returned to the field for the first time since the Portuguese's death, defeating Preston 3-1 in a pre-season friendly. Father of three Jota died alongside his brother Andre Silva on July 3, 11 days after marrying his long-term partner Rute Cardoso, after their car came off the road and burst into flames in northern Spain. A rendition of Liverpool's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was played before kick-off at Deepdale and Preston captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath in front of the away supporters. A minute's silence was then observed and both teams wore black armbands. Jota was part of the Liverpool side that won the Premier League last season and in his final match won the Nations League with Portugal against Spain in June. 'I think what I take comfort in is that in the last month of his life he was a champion in everything,' Slot said in an interview ahead of the match. 'A champion for his family, which is the main and most important thing, because he got married. 'A champion for his country because he won the Nations League with a country that he cared about so much, because he also wore the flag when we had celebrations. 'And of course a champion for us by winning the Premier League.' Mohamed Salah was among the Liverpool starting line-up and captain for the day as Virgil van Dijk was left out of the playing squad but was still in attendance. Three of the players who travelled to Gondomar, just outside Porto, for Jota's funeral last weekend, Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, scored the goals in Liverpool's first steps back towards normality. Multiple renditions of Jota's song, proclaiming him to be better than Portugal legend Figo, were belted out by the Liverpool support before a ball was even kicked. In the crowd, flags emblazoned with 'forever our number 20' paid tribute to the man who died aged just 28. Liverpool announced on Friday that the club will retire Jota's number 20 in his memory. 'Like a family member' Jota's song was then sung on a loop at full-time as the Liverpool squad stood in front of their fans and applauded. 'It's just hit the city hard,' said Liverpool fan and security officer Thomas McAllister, 48. 'Once a Liverpool player you become part of the family and we take you to our hearts. It's like someone in the family has died.' Earlier this week, Slot and his wife joined several players in attending the tributes that have appeared to Jota and his brother outside Anfield. 'We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go,' added Slot. Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez made their Liverpool debuts as Slot named two entirely different sides for each half. Liverpool had spent big in the transfer market prior to Jota's passing, breaking the club's record fee for Florian Wirtz as well as recruiting Frimpong and Kerkez in a bid to retain the Premier League title. 'It must be devastating for his family, his team-mates but I think it will really unite and galvanise them to try and win the league for him,' said another supporter Diggy Anderson, 60. Liverpool are next in action on an Asian tour, playing AC Milan in Hong Kong on July 26 and then away to Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos four days later. — AFP
The Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Preston vs Liverpool LIVE: Reds win on emotional return to action in first game back after tragic death of Diogo Jota
LIVERPOOL have beaten Preston 3-1 in their first game back following the tragic death of Diogo Jota. Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in Spain 10 days ago. Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo all got on the scoresheet on an emotional afternoon at Deepdale. Before kick-off, there was a rendition of Liverpool's anthem You'll Never Walk Alone and Preston captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath alongside the away supporters. A minute's silence was observed in memory of Diogo and Andre, while digital tributes were displayed on the screen and across pitchside LEDs - and both sets of players wore black armbands during the match. Liverpool supporters' amazing chant for Jota constantly rang around Deepdale throughout the match. Before exiting the pitch, players paused and went over to the away end to join in with fans as they remembered their late forward. Follow our live blog below... Today, 13:37 By Kealan Hughes Liverpool and Preston to pay Jota tribute Fans are gathering at Deepdale for Liverpool's first match since the death of Diogo Jota. There will be a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone and a minute's silence ahead of kick-off. Preston have paid tribute to Jota with the matchday programme.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Deepdale falls silent to remember Jota and Silva
Deepdale fell silent to remember the lives of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before Sunday's pre-season friendly between Liverpool and the first time since their team-mate's death 10 days ago, Liverpool players took to the field in front of their own supporters in the away end, and a minute's silence was end was a sea of red, filled with flags, scarves and shirts to honour and commemorate their number Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love and Liverpool club anthem You'll Never Walk Alone were sung as Preston captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath in front of the travelling was a moving tribute as Liverpool, and the wider football community, continue to mourn the loss of Jota and Silva.
