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Just a couple of weeks ago, the Merseyside club appeared destined to claim back-to-back Premier League titles and possibly another Champions League trophy. Their capacity to win without optimal displays seemed like the mark of genuine title-winners.

But, subsequently the momentum shifted. Liverpool continued with average showings and began dropping matches. At the same time, the North London club, renowned for their stubborn backline and strength in depth, began narrowing the gap at the summit.

Understanding a Crisis in Modern Football

Does a trio of straight losses represent a collapse? Like many football debates, it hinges entirely on your interpretation of the key term. Was the United midfielder elite? What does "world class" actually mean? Is the Birmingham club a major club? What constitutes "big"? Is the Old Trafford outfit back? Well, maybe that is one we might settle.

At a team of Liverpool's stature and previous campaign's excellence, a mini crisis seems a fair description. On a recent broadcast, ex- striker Neil Mellor was questioned how many losses in a row would trigger panic. His reply was six. At present, they are halfway to that point.

Pinpointing the On-Pitch Issues

There are obvious footballing problems. Integrating new signings like Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, who provide a distinct skill set to departed stalwarts Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, creates a challenge. Similarly, blending in a talented playmaker like Florian Wirtz has reportedly disrupted the midfield. Observers of the Bundesliga note that Wirtz is a creative player who elevates those beside him, connecting play effortlessly rather than imposing himself upon the game.

Additionally, a number of players who shone last season—including Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, and Conor Bradley—are currently below their best. Actually, the majority of the team are. And they all have one significant, recent experience: the passing of their colleague and friend, Diogo Jota.

The Unseen Effect: Grief on the Field

We are now just more than three months since the tragic passing of their teammate. Although the outside world progresses rapidly, shifting attention to other events, the club's squad carry on training and playing day after day in the absence of their mate.

This is impossible to know how each individual and staff member is dealing from one day to the next. It requires a great deal of speculation. Maybe Salah didn't track back in a particular match because he was tired. Or maybe his performance level is down a small per cent due to the fact he is grieving for his friend.

The London club's head coach, Enzo Maresca, spoke eloquently before a recent, drawing a comparison to his personal experience of the loss of a teammate, Antonio Puerta, when at Sevilla. "How they are doing this season is remarkable," he said of Liverpool. "Particularly after Jota's tragedy. I went through exactly the same thing when I was a player 20 years ago."

"It's not easy for the squad, it's not easy for the club, it's not easy for the manager when you come to the training ground and you see every day that spot vacant. So you must be incredibly resilient. And this is the explanation why for me they are doing not well, but exceptionally well. Because they are trying to handle a situation that is not easy."

Just as summarized succinctly on a popular supporter's show, the reminders are ongoing. The players are reminded by his chant in the first half, they notice his unused locker in the dressing room. Even during games, a through ball might be played and the realization arises: 'Oh, Diogo would have been there.' If Salah showed emotion in front of the Kop a few games ago, it signals that everything is far from normal.

The Limits of Football Analysis and Personal Grief

After covering football for two decades, one realizes there is a inherent superficiality in most analysis. We simply cannot know how an individual is feeling at any specific time and how that affects their play. Jota's passing is one of the most stark illustrations. We know a tragic thing occurred, and we comprehend the concept of sorrow. Beyond that lies an intangible layer of impact on different people at the organization. It is very possible that some of the squad personally don't fully understand its influence from one moment to the next.

The way the press covers this and how fans analyze performances is clearly far from the most important factor. On a practical basis, mentioning Jota's passing is challenging to do in a brief segment before transitioning to on-field issues. Beyond this specific event and beyond Liverpool, it would seem bizarre to qualify each critique of a player with an admission that we know so little about their private circumstances—be it their family relationships, health struggles, or relationship problems.

A former pro footballer, Nedum Onuoha, recently spoke on a broadcast about how his mother's passing midway through his playing days affected his love for the game. "I didn't enjoy football as much," he stated. "Some of the highs and the low points that accompany it didn't really feel the same any more." And that was half a career; for Liverpool and Jota, it has been only three short months.

The Final Thought

Therefore, regardless of what Liverpool achieve this season—be it success or failure—even if we don't mention it every time we analyze their matches, even if it is not the sole reason for their final result, we must remember that a short time ago they lost not merely a brilliant player, but, more importantly, they said goodbye to a friend.