Liverpool hand temporary squad numbers to six summer signings including Florian Wirtz

Liverpool hand temporary squad numbers to six summer signings including Florian Wirtz

Liverpool return to action with their pre-season friendly at Preston on Sunday afternoon, and their six new arrivals this summer will be wearing temporary squad numbers

Florian Wirtz will wear a temporary Liverpool squad number this summer (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images )

Liverpool have given temporary squad numbers to their six summer signings as they return to the pitch for the first time since winning the Premier League title.

The Reds are at Deepdale this Sunday to take on Preston North End in their first pre-season friendly of the summer - with the match serving as the club's first since the tragic death of Reds forward Diogo Jota on July 3.

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While thoughts remain with Jota's family as the club seek to recover from the heartbreaking loss, Reds boss Arne Slot has vowed that his side will do all they can to honour the memory of the Portugal international.

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Liverpool have so far added six new faces to the squad this summer, including record signing Florian Wirtz, the German's Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez. Goalkeepers Giorgi Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi make up the half a dozen new arrivals.

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And with departures now expected at Anfield prior to the start of the season and the confirmation of the official squad numbers for the Premier League campaign, the Reds have confirmed that all six players will wear temporary numbers in pre-season, beginning with the Preston game.

Beginning at Deepdale, Mamardashvili will wear No.55, Woodman No.56, Kerkez No.57, Wirtz No.58, Frimpong No.59 and Pecsi No.60.

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On Friday the Reds confirmed that they have retired Jota's No.20 shirt across all levels of the club - including the women's and youth teams - following his passing.

Liverpool have retired Diogo Jota's No.20 shirt at all levels (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images )

FSG's CEO of Football Michael Edwards said: “I believe this is the first time in Liverpool Football Club’s history that such an honour has been bestowed upon an individual. Therefore, we can say this is a unique tribute to a uniquely wonderful person.

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“By retiring this squad number, we are making it eternal – and therefore never to be forgotten.

“Diogo joined us in 2020, he won us number 20, and he wore – with honour, distinction and affection – the number 20.

“As far as Liverpool Football Club is concerned, he will be forever our number 20.”

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