
Preston North End 1-3 Liverpool: Darwin Nunez dedicates celebration to late team-mate Diogo Jota as Reds dispatch Championship opponents in pre-season friendly
Conor Bradley opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, pouncing on a loose touch by Dominik Szoboszlai, who got on the end of Federico Chiesa's low cross.
Darwin Nunez doubled the Premier League champions' lead on the other side of half-time, and paid a touching tribute to the late Diogo Jota with his celebration.
After finding the back of the net in the 53rd minute, the Uruguay international wheeled off to the corner flag, sat down, and pretended to play on a video game remote - his old team-mate's signature move.
Arne Slot 's men failed to keep a clean sheet against their Championship opponents, conceding in the 83rd minute when Preston defender Liam Lindsay rifled a header in from a corner.
Cody Gakpo then put a stamp on the performance, scoring Liverpool's third in the 88th minute. The Reds next suit up on July 26 against AC Milan.

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BBC News
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- BBC News
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The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
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The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
The road ahead for Oleksandr Usyk after Daniel Dubois rematch
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Most thought this was the end of the rivalry between the two as a trilogy would serve to prove nothing, even if Fury won, as Usyk would be the overall victor anyway. But Fury announced his comeback from retirement earlier this month and seemed to confirm a trilogy fight between himself and the undefeated heavyweight champion. At an event in Turkey, Fury told the media that the only fight he wants to come back for is Usyk. Fury said: 'Who would I rather fight now? Usyk. Because I want my revenge in England. That's all I want, I want my fair shout and I don't believe I've got a fair shout the last two times." Usyk had the chance to address these rumours ahead of his fight with Daniel Dubois and was just as confused as everyone else at Fury's fight announcement, but didn't write it off as a possibility. Usyk told The Stomping ground: 'I don't judge Tyson Fury. But I don't know what's going on.' He added: 'We have a fight in 2026? You crazy guy! 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He continued: 'Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world, and if it happens, then I am ready for a third fight.' This offer was predicated on Joshua beating Dubois, which, of course, did not happen, and Joshua now appears he be pursuing a fight with Tyson Fury instead. Jospeh Parker Suppose Usyk beats Dubois and intends to keep hold of his undisputed titles before he retires. In that case, the politics of boxing dictates he will have to fight his mandatory challenger – the big Kiwi and training partner of Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker. Parker is the WBO interim champion and has been since he knocked out Martin Bakole, who was a late replacement for Dubois, on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 in February. 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Ahead of his rematch with Fury last year, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion told the 3 Knockdown Rule podcast that he would like to fight at cruiserweight again and try to become undisputed for a second time. Usyk said: 'I want more [fights at] cruiserweight. Maybe I can be undisputed for a second time in the cruiserweight division, it's my plan. When I start to prepare for my training camp [as a heavyweight], I have to eat all the time. For me it's hard, I don't like it." A return to cruiserweight looks less and less likely as he came in at a career heaviest 224lbs against Fury and looks to be even bigger for his fight with Dubois. He would also have to unify the belts at cruiserweight, which would require at least three more fights. Badou Jack, Jai Opetaia and Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramriez are the three kings of the cruiserweight division currently. At 38 years old and on the verge of becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk could not be blamed for calling time on his career while still at the very pinnacle of the sport. Speaking to DAZN ahead of his rematch with Dubois, Usyk admitted that he is in the closing stages of his career and that he will fight Dubois, then have one more fight. Usyk said: 'I guess it's my two last fights. With Dubois. Next, I don't know who." If a good fight does not materialise for Usyk, then retirement is a more than viable option as he will have nothing left to prove should he beat Dubois on Saturday. Usyk vs Dubois 2 only on DAZN Watch Usyk versus Dubois 2 live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday - July 19 - for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW. Buy the PPV now here.