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

Adidas, the German sportswear titan, must have been thrilled when Liverpool secured the signing of Florian Wirtz. The Reds broke their transfer record last month to bring in the 22-year-old playmaker from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £116m.

The friendly between Preston North End and Liverpool will kick-off at 3pm today, July 13. The match is being held at Preston’s Deepdale Stadium.

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.

The Portugal international was killed alongside his brother Andre in a car accident in Spain as he was heading back to Liverpool for the start of preseason. The footballing world has rallied in support of Jota's family and Liverpool FC in the aftermath with a major loss felt by all on the red side of Merseyside.

A decision has reportedly been made as to whether the pre-season friendly between Preston and Liverpool will go ahead on Sunday as scheduled. The fixture was initially confirmed several weeks ago and is due to be the Reds’ first match since the end of their triumphant Premier League campaign.