Liverpool Coach Reflects on Jota’s Loss Amidst Struggles

Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, expressed that it is “impossible to measure” the impact of Diogo Jota’s untimely death on the team, yet he firmly stated that he would never use this tragedy as an excuse for the club’s recent lackluster performances.

Defender Andy Robertson recently shared his emotional struggles following Jota’s passing, particularly as Scotland prepared for their 4-2 victory over Denmark, which secured their spot in the upcoming World Cup.

Robertson’s heartfelt interview has sparked discussions on the extent to which Liverpool’s disappointing results can be attributed to the grief experienced by the players. In response, Slot commented, “We are always judged, sometimes fairly, sometimes not. I watched the interview live and recognize that this is a significant issue for us, which is completely normal.

“At this moment, I constantly think about how Jota’s wife and children must feel. Their pain is undoubtedly greater than ours. However, it is evident that we miss both the player and the person. Just last season against Nottingham Forest, we were down 1-0 until Jota equalized within a minute. His absence will be deeply felt.”

Slot continued, “It is important for us to remember Jota at all times, reflecting on the kind of person and player he was. However, quantifying the impact of his loss on our players and results is impossible. The last thing I would do is use it as an excuse. I am certain that we miss him as a player and a person, but I cannot define how this affects our performance.”

Looking ahead to the match against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool aims to turn their fortunes around after losing seven of their last ten games across all competitions. Unfortunately, they will be without Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley due to injuries sustained while on international duty.

Slot stated, “Andy Robertson has not yet trained but will join us today. Alisson Becker has trained last week and this week, so he will be available if all goes well today. If he is ready, he will start. However, we do have several issues following the international break, which is less than ideal, as Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz are unable to play.”