Liverpool players and fans pay tribute to Diogo Jota in first game since forward's death

PRESTON, England (AP) — Liverpool players and fans paid tribute to Diogo Jota on Sunday in the Premier League champion's first game since the forward died in a car accident.

The pre-season friendly against Preston at Deepdale featured a live rendition of Liverpool's anthem “You'll Never Walk Alone” and a minute’s silence before kickoff.

Fans turned up with commemorative flags and sang Jota's name.

The Portugal international died along with his brother Andre Silva, also a soccer player, near the northwestern city of Zamora, Spain, on July 3.

On Friday Liverpool said it had retired his No. 20 jersey as a mark of respect.

Liverpool beat second-tier Preston 3-1 and forward Darwin Nunez paid tribute to Jota after scoring in the first half. In celebration, he mimicked his former teammate's iconic celebration by sitting on the grass and playing with an imaginary game controller.

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Liverpool fans stand and applaud in the 20th minute in memory of Liverpool player Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva during the pre-season friendly soccer match between Preston and Liverpool at Deepdale Stadium, Preston, Sunday July 13, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

Liverpool fans pay tribute to Liverpool player Diogo Jota ahead of a pre-season friendly soccer match between Preston and Liverpool at Deepdale Stadium, Preston, Sunday July 13, 2025. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)