مدير عام كرة القدم
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- Liverpool and Preston dedicated game to Jota
- Reds won 3-1 with Nunez & Gakpo scoring
- 22 players featured for Slot’s side
Liverpool left an emotional Deepdale with a 3-1 victory against Preston North End in the Reds’ first game since the passing of Jota. Though just a pre-season friendly, this game meant so much more and the Reds will be glad to have won in the name of their much-loved Portuguese forward. Conor Bradley scored the opener from close range midway through the first half before a defensive error allowed substitute Nunez to double the Reds’ advantage. Preston got on the scoresheet from a late corner through Liam Lindsay but a way back into the game was not forthcoming, as Gakpo scored a third late on to secure a deserved Liverpool victory.
Sunday was a day for Jota, of that there is no doubt. It was Liverpool’s first pre-season game since his tragic passing alongside brother Andre Silva ten days ago and the emotion prior to kick-off was poignant. No.20 shirts – a number now officially retired by Liverpool in honour of Jota – and Portuguese flags were seen all around the ground. Preston’s club anthem “Can’t Help Falling in Love” was belted out prior to kick-off and touched all four corners of the ground, but the most powerful moment was when “You’ll Never Walk Alone” was sung as the players began to walk out onto the field. It was a touching tribute worthy of the occasion. Both sets of players and fans took part in a minute’s silence before the game got underway.
In an understandably slow start for both sides, 16-year-old Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha was a bright spark in the early stages. The teenager showed supreme confidence to skip past two Preston players and find a yard to shoot in the penalty area on 17 minutes, but his shot deflected wide. Ngumoha was not the only academy player who caught the eye, as 18-year-old Trey Nyoni was also impressive in midfield in the first half.
The whole stadium broke into Jota’s famous chant for over five minutes on the 20-minute mark before the Reds upped the intensity after a water break offered a chance to reset. Dominik Szoboszlai had a couple of chances on goal before the الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز champions took the lead in the 33rd minute through Bradley. Ngumoha was involved down the left, before a jinking run by Federico Chiesa found Szoboszlai and then Bradley, who was on hand to tap in from close range after the Hungarian mis-hit a shot into his path.
Preston had a couple of chances at the other end in a strong end to the half, Milutin Osmajic stretching to poke wide before Andrew Hughes headed onto the roof of the net following a long throw.
Arne Slot’s visitors made a full 11 changes at the break, coming out for the second half with an entirely different line-up to outline the quality throughout the Reds’ squad and academy. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez came on at the break for their Liverpool debuts, but, remarkably, there was still no sign of record signing Florian Wirtz or captain Virgil van Dijk, neither of whom were in the squad.
It took just eight minutes for Liverpool’s second-half team to get on the scoresheet, Nunez profiting from a short back-pass by Jordan Storey to round goalkeeper Daniel Iversen and slide the ball home in front of Liverpool’s 6,000 supporters. Nunez celebrated with Jota’s iconic video gaming celebration to honour his late teammate and friend.
The second half offered little goal-mouth action with Liverpool comfortable in their lead, though a couple of great defensive blocks in a 76th-minute scramble prevented Lewis Koumas or Curtis Jones scoring a third. Preston got an 83rd-minute goal through Lindsay’s thumping header from a corner but Gakpo sealed the deal late on with a smart finish, after Nunez dummied the lively Ben Doak’s cross into the Dutchman’s path. Chants of Jota’s name continued long after the final whistle and surely will for many more months and years to come.
Liverpool fielded 22 players in the match, giving a chance to almost all squad members and several academy players. Arguably the player who caught the eye the most was 16-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha who continues to impress whenever given a chance by Slot. Ngumoha signed from Chelsea‘s academy in a major coup last year and became Liverpool’s youngest-ever starter against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup in January.
Ngumoha was a livewire throughout the first half. Involved in the first goal, he could have scored himself after tricking inside multiple Preston defenders from the left. He may not be the finished article in terms of his end product just yet, but Ngumoha’s talent was clear to see and will have made Liverpool fans increasingly optimistic about his future with the club.
Football is not the most important thing around Liverpool right now as players and fans alike begin to come to terms with the passing of one of their own. The Reds will begin their title defence in Jota’s honour when Bournemouth visit Anfield for their opening-day Premier League game on August 15. Before then, pre-season games against the likes of AC Milan and Athletic Club and a Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace lie in wait.
As for Preston, they begin their Championship campaign at QPR on August 9 and will hope for a strong remainder of pre-season as they head into Paul Heckingbottom’s second season at the club.
