Liverpool’s Pre-Season Opener Marked by Emotion and ExpectationLiverpool’s return to the pitch for their first pre-season fixture comes under a cloud of emotion and transition, as they face

Liverpool take on Preston North End in the opening pre-season friendly today, with the Reds naming a strong team for the Deepdale clash this afternoon

Florian Wirtz, the club record £116million signing from Bayer Leverkusen, is among several players not included, along with skipper Virgil van Dijk, defender Ibrahima Konate, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and winger Luis Diaz.

The Liverpool boss was speaking in his first full interview since the tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva

New Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz is in line to make his first appearance for the Reds on what will be an emotional day at Deepdale. Liverpool face Preston in their first pre-season friendly of the summer and their first game since the death of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.

Liverpool will take on Preston North End on Sunday in its first pre-season friendly of the summer - and Arne Slot is likely to use a lot of players in the game at Deepdale