Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo produce three Diogo Jota celebrations in lovely Liverpool tributes

Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo did not hesitate to pay tribute to Diogo Jota after finding the net in Liverpool's first pre-season match against Preston. The occasion marked the first time the Reds have taken to the field since the attacker tragically passed away alongside his brother, Andre Silva.

Jota was killed in a car crash in northern Spain on July 3, with tributes pouring in from across the football world in the time since. Anfield has been a home to a mass of bouquets, scarves and t-shirts and become a place to reflect upon the life and passing of the No.20.

But Liverpool's first time on the pitch was at Deepdale where the sides observed a minute's silence before the match and sported black armbands. Preston had also produced a special free matchday programme in honour of Jota and Andre, and performances of Preston anthem 'Can't Help Falling In Love' and Liverpool's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' were sang before kick-off.

Darwin was not going to allow the tributes to end there however. The forward capitalised on an error in defence by Jordan Storey, to take the ball past Daniel Iversen and doubled the Reds' lead after Conor Bradley's opening effort.

Liverpool's striker then quickly emulated Jota in celebrations that will be fondly remembered after the Portugal international's 65 goals for the club. Darwin first outstretched his arms until they were rigid to clap in the fashion of a crocodile's bite before sitting on the turf.

READ MORE: Arne Slot reveals emotional demand to Liverpool players after Diogo Jota tragedy

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Jota's iconic gaming celebration followed, indicitive of his love for esports and gaming. The late 28-year-old held an ownership stake in LUNA Esports.

Bradley's earlier celebration had been more muted. After scoring the full-back turned away before looking to the sky and then embraced his team-mates.

Gakpo scored a third goal for Liverpool and also emulated the clapping motion that Darwin had earlier produced. The Dutch forward then held up his fingers to show the number 20 as he was approached by his team-mates.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot detailed how the team will carry Jota in their thoughts moving forwards. "Nothing seems to be important if we think of what has happened," said Slot

"But we are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not.

"What I’ve said to the players, I can say it here as well. It’s very difficult to find the right words because we constantly debate what is appropriate. What is appropriate in our actions? What is appropriate [for] what we have to say? Can we train again? Can we laugh again? Can we be angry if there’s a wrong decision?

"And I’ve said to them, maybe the best thing for us to do is handle this situation like Jota was. And what I meant with that is that Jota was always himself, it didn’t matter if he was talking to me, to his teammates, to the staff, he was always himself.

"So let us try to be ourselves as well. So, if we want to laugh we laugh; if we want to cry we’re going to cry. If they want to train they can train, if they don’t want to train they can not train. But be yourself, don’t think you have to be different than your emotions tell you."

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