Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom revealed he thanked Arne Slot after Liverpool's friendly with Preston went ahead as planned on Sunday, 10 days on from the death of Liverpool player Diogo Jota.

After a consultation involving players and staff at the start of last week, the decision was taken that the Reds would proceed with the game at Deepdale. Liverpool won 3-1 courtesy of goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, and afterwards Heckingbottom showed his class as he addressed the tragic circumstances surrounding the game.The eyes of the football world were on us and we wanted to represent ourselves, and the wider football world, in the correct way and pay our respects in the correct way," Heckingbottom said. "I hope that we were able to do that and I hope that came across to everyone affected.

I'm proud of everyone. I thanked Arne (Slot) for coming to the game. I hope that this has begun their healing process, if you like.

"I hope that they feel better for having that game and it's a step closer to where they need to get themselves to, without a doubt. But I'm proud of everyone who's been involved in the planning of this.

“The fans, the behaviour, the way everyone showed their respect and also the players and staff. I felt we were representing more than ourselves today. It's difficult.It's a game of football and, listen, I'll credit both sets of players, both sets of staff. It was a proper game when the whistle went and you've got to do that.

We don't want to risk injuries. We want to pay our respects in the right way. You've got to do it properly but it's tough, yeah. I can't imagine how it is for the staff, players and families affected.