The gesture, timed with the 3:00 p.m. BST kickoff, honored Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who tragically died in a car accident earlier this month.
The hologram, depicting Jota in his iconic No. 20 jersey celebrating a goal, was displayed on the pitch during a pre-match ceremony, accompanied by a minute’s silence and players wearing black armbands. This emotional moment, broadcast free on ITV, brought the Liverpool family together, with fans, players, and staff visibly moved as they paid tribute to the beloved forward.
The initiative, proposed by manager Arne Slot and approved by club owners FSG, aimed to celebrate Jota’s legacy, which included 56 goals in 142 appearances and a key role in Liverpool’s 2024/25 Premier League title win. Slot, speaking before the match, called the hologram a “special way to show what Diogo meant to us,” emphasizing its role in uniting the club during a time of grief.
Fans inside Deepdale and watching globally were encouraged to join a synchronized chant of Jota’s name at the ninth minute, symbolizing his impact since joining from Wolves in 2020. Social media posts captured the moment’s weight, with fans describing it as “heartbreaking yet beautiful” and a fitting tribute to a player known for his passion and clutch performances.
The ceremony coincided with Liverpool’s first pre-season match, featuring potential debuts for new signings Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, signed for a combined £200 million. Despite the focus on new talent, the hologram ensured Jota’s memory remained central, with the club projecting images of his iconic goals, including his 2023 winner against Tottenham, on stadium screens.
The decision to proceed with the friendly, after discussions with Preston, reflected Liverpool’s desire to honor Jota through football, his greatest passion. However, the emotional toll was evident, with players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who trained with Jota just days before the tragedy, visibly emotional during the tribute.
Preston fans joined the tribute, applauding during the minute’s silence, a gesture Slot later praised as a sign of football’s unity. The hologram technology, a first for Liverpool, drew inspiration from similar tributes in other sports, like Kobe Bryant’s at NBA events.
While some fans on social media questioned the cost, the majority lauded the club’s effort to create a lasting memory, with one user calling it “a moment that’ll live with us forever.”
As Liverpool navigate their grief and prepare for the season, including an Asia tour and the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on August 10, the tribute underscored Jota’s enduring place in the club’s heart, uniting the Liverpool family in a powerful, collective moment of remembrance.
