Liverpool’s Pre-Season Starts with a Win Over Preston
Pre-season friendlies rarely come with much hype, but this summer opener between Preston North End and Liverpool served up more drama than your average exhibition game. What set it apart? For starters, it was the first real look at Liverpool’s new faces, all broadcast live on national TV.
Preston vs Liverpool kicked off on July 13, 2025, with Liverpool fans everywhere keen to see what the post-summer version of their club might look like. The match aired on ITV1 for free, with the action starting at 2:40 PM – not just to catch the teams’ warmups, but also for some emotional pre-match tributes to Diogo Jota and André Silva. Both players have made significant contributions over the years, and the recognition set a respectful tone before the whistle blew.
How to Watch: Free TV and Streaming Options
Not everyone could make it to Deepdale to catch this friendly in person, so ITV1 made things convenient for fans at home or on-the-go, broadcasting the game live with full English commentary. All you needed was a TV or free access through the ITVX website or app in the UK. For overseas fans or those chasing every tactical detail, Liverpool-focused platforms such as Redmen TV provided streams and breakdowns, though some of their in-depth analysis locked behind a paywall.
Twitter and club socials didn’t disappoint either, offering real-time updates, big moments, and highlight reels shortly after full-time. With streaming options and social channels buzzing, this friendly became more accessible than ever for supporters across the globe.
For those considering a proper alternative to a living room setup, pubs and sports bars with TVs tuned to ITV1 proved popular all afternoon. If you wanted pure adrenaline, nothing beats the atmosphere of a packed pub during a Liverpool game – even if the match technically didn’t count for points.
- Free-to-air: ITV1 (UK)
- Free streaming: ITVX (UK, registration may be required)
- Subscription content: Redmen TV and other Liverpool fan platforms
Key Moments & What We Learned
Preston didn’t come to play the role of a doormat, grabbing the first goal with Liam Lindsay heading home and waking up Liverpool’s back line. Liverpool’s response came fast, with Cody Gakpo showing sharp pre-season form to get the equalizer. That wasn’t all – Darwin Nuñez stepped up, putting in a second and then sealing the result late on, reassuring fans that his eye for goal remains sharp over the summer.
The buzz at the ground grew louder for one main reason: the debut of new Liverpool signing Florian Wirtz. The German midfielder was brought on to get his first minutes in red, and while he didn’t score, his passing and movement attracted plenty of praise from the commentary box and supporters online. He’s one name fans are likely to talk about as pre-season continues.
Beyond the scorers, young defensive talents Stevenson and Connor Bradley made their mark with impressive tackles and smart positioning. Friendlies are about opportunities, and they gave manager Jurgen Klopp more options to consider for the coming Premier League campaign.
For Liverpool supporters, the win was nice, but the real victory was in glimpsing the future of the squad: fresh faces settling in, old favorites returning sharp, and kids fighting for the right to stay in first-team plans. If this match taught viewers anything, it’s that the Reds’ depth—and ITV1’s free access—are both in good shape for the new season.