```html Liverpool Pays Emotional Tribute to Diogo Jota in Pre-Season Friendly

Liverpool Football Club and its supporters paid a poignant and heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva at their pre-season friendly against Preston North End on Monday. The match, Liverpool's first since the tragic death of the Jota brothers in a car accident on July 3rd, served as an opportunity for the club and fans to mourn and celebrate the life of the Portuguese forward and his sibling.

Before kick-off at Deepdale, emotional scenes unfolded as fans sang renditions of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" and the club's iconic anthem, "You'll Never Walk Alone." Preston North End captain Ben Whiteman laid a wreath in front of the travelling Liverpool supporters during the latter, adding to the solemn atmosphere.

Fans and Players Unite in Remembrance

The Liverpool supporters, who filled the away end with flags and scarves commemorating Jota, passionately sang his song as the players emerged onto the pitch. A minute's silence was impeccably observed by both sets of fans and the players, a testament to the respect for Jota and his family.

In the 20th minute of the match, a further outpouring of emotion saw the crowd erupt into another rendition of Jota's song, honouring his Liverpool squad number.

Goals Marked with Respect and Remembrance

On the pitch, Liverpool secured a 3-1 victory, but the result was secondary to the tributes paid to Jota. Conor Bradley, who opened the scoring, looked up to the heavens in a silent dedication as he returned to his position. Darwin Nunez, after scoring Liverpool's second goal, performed two of Jota's signature celebrations in front of the Liverpool fans. Cody Gakpo, who added the third, held up his fingers to signal the number 20, further honouring Jota's memory.

The match programme featured a black and white image of Jota holding the Premier League trophy, alongside heartfelt tributes to both him and his brother.

Club Honours Jota's Legacy

Liverpool have announced the retirement of Jota's number 20 shirt across all areas of the club, a permanent symbol of his contribution and the lasting impact he had on the team and its supporters. The announcement was made at 20:20 BST on Friday.

New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot addressed the tragic loss in his first interview, saying, "If we want to laugh, we laugh; if we want to cry, we're going to cry. We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go." Slot's words highlighted the club's commitment to supporting the players and staff through their grief.

Jota's Impact on Liverpool and Portugal

Diogo Jota made 182 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 65 goals and playing a vital role in their FA Cup and League Cup victories in 2022, as well as their Premier League title win last season. He was also a key player for Portugal, scoring 14 goals in 49 international appearances. His final match for Portugal was a Nations League victory against Spain on June 8th.

According to the Guardia Civil, the car accident that claimed the lives of Jota and his brother occurred after their Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking another vehicle. The brothers were travelling to Santander, Spain, so Jota could return to Liverpool for pre-season training.

Anfield Mourns: Expert Analysis

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, speaking to BBC Sport, noted the profound impact Jota had both on and off the pitch. "Jota was more than just a talented footballer; he was a commercially valuable asset. His popularity translated into shirt sales, merchandise revenue, and increased fan engagement. But more importantly, he was a beloved member of the Liverpool family, and his loss will be felt deeply by the club’s stakeholders."

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports News, highlighted Jota's importance to Jurgen Klopp's squad: "Diogo was the ultimate team player. He could play anywhere across the front line, he worked tirelessly, and he always delivered in the big moments. He was a manager's dream, and he will be sorely missed. The outpouring of grief from the fans shows how much he was loved at Anfield."

The tributes at Deepdale underscored the deep connection between Liverpool Football Club, its players, and its supporters. The memory of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva will undoubtedly live on at Anfield and beyond. ```