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Just a couple of weeks ago, Liverpool seemed set to claim back-to-back Premier League titles and potentially another Champions League trophy. Their ability to secure victories despite not optimal displays felt like the mark of genuine title-winners.

But, then the momentum turned. Liverpool continued with average showings and began losing points. At the same time, Arsenal, known for their stubborn backline and strength in depth, started narrowing the gap at the top.

Understanding a Crisis in Today's Game

Does a trio of consecutive defeats represent a collapse? Like most sporting discussions, it hinges completely on your definition of the central word. Was the United midfielder elite? What does "elite" even signify? Is the Birmingham club a big team? What constitutes "big"? Is the Old Trafford outfit returned to prominence? Well, perhaps that's a question we might settle.

At a team of this club's stature and last season's excellence, a mini crisis seems a reasonable description. On a recent broadcast, former forward Neil Mellor was questioned how many losses in a row would cause alarm. His reply was six. Currently, they are halfway to that point.

Identifying the On-Pitch Issues

There are obvious footballing issues. Assimilating new additions like Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, who offer a distinct skill set to previous stalwarts Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, presents a difficulty. Likewise, blending in a gifted attacking midfielder like Florian Wirtz has reportedly disrupted the engine room. Experts of the Bundesliga note that Wirtz is a creative talent who elevates those beside him, linking play seamlessly rather than imposing himself upon the game.

Additionally, a host of individuals who shone last season—such as Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, and Conor Bradley—are currently below their best. Actually, most of the squad is. And they all share one profound, fresh experience: the passing of their colleague and companion, Diogo Jota.

The Invisible Impact: Grief on the Field

It has been just over three short months since the devastating passing of their friend. Although the wider world moves on quickly, diverting focus to other matters, the club's squad carry on going to work each day in the absence of their mate.

It is impossible to know how every individual and staff member is dealing from one day to the next. There is a great deal of speculation. Maybe Salah failed to defend in a recent match because he was tired. Or maybe his form is down a few percentage points because he is grieving for his friend.

The London club's head coach, Enzo Maresca, spoke insightfully before a fixture, drawing a comparison to his personal situation of losing a teammate, Antonio Puerta, while at Sevilla. "The way they are doing this season is remarkable," he said of Liverpool. "Particularly after the 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 daily that spot empty. So you have to be very strong. And this is the reason why for me they are performing not good, even better than good. Because they are attempting to deal with a situation that is not easy."

As explained well on a well-known fan podcast, the memory triggers are ongoing. They are reminded by his chant in the 20th minute, they notice his empty locker in the dressing room. Even during games, a through ball might be played and the thought arises: 'Ah, Jota would have been there.' If Salah was seen crying in front of the Kop a matches ago, it indicates that everything is far from all right.

The Boundaries of Football Analysis and Personal Grief

After reporting on football for twenty years, one realizes there is a inherent lack of depth in the majority of analysis. We simply cannot know how an player is coping at any given moment and how that impacts their performance. Jota's death is one of the most stark illustrations. We are aware a terrible event occurred, and we comprehend the nature of sorrow. Beyond that lies an immeasurable level of effect on various people at the club. It is highly likely that some of the squad themselves do not fully grasp its influence from one day to the next.

How the press covers this and how supporters analyze performances is clearly far from the primary factor. On a functional level, mentioning Jota's passing is difficult to do in a short segment before moving on to tactical concerns. Outside of this specific tragedy and outside Liverpool, it would seem bizarre to preface each criticism of a player with an admission that we are largely ignorant about their private circumstances—be it their parental situation, health struggles, or marital problems.

A former professional footballer, the defender, recently spoke on radio about how his mother's death midway through his career affected his passion for the game. "I didn't enjoy football as much," he said. "The highs and the lows that come with it didn't really feel the same after that." And that was half a career; for Liverpool and Jota, it has been just three short months.

The Final Point

Therefore, regardless of what Liverpool accomplish in the coming months—be it success or failure—whether or not we omit reference to it every time we discuss their matches, and even if it is not the sole reason for their eventual outcome, we must remember that a few weeks ago they suffered the loss of not merely a brilliant footballer, but, crucially, they said goodbye to a dear friend.