Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has expressed the team's deep sense of loss following the tragic death of Diogo Jota, acknowledging the impact on both the players and the club's recent performances. However, Slot maintains that this loss will not be used as an excuse for the team's struggles on the field.
Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car accident in July. Before Scotland's recent World Cup qualifying victory over Denmark, Liverpool's Andy Robertson opened up about the emotional toll of Jota's absence. "I couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today," Robertson shared.
Slot echoed Robertson's sentiments, stating that the team thinks of Jota frequently. "It is good for us to remind ourselves of him every time possible because of the person and player he was," Slot said. However, he emphasized that measuring the impact of Jota's death on the team's performances is impossible. "The last thing I would do is use it as an excuse because I simply don't know," Slot explained.
Liverpool has endured a challenging period, losing seven of their last ten matches. Slot acknowledged the scrutiny the team faces but also highlighted the greater impact on Jota's family. "We miss the player, that is 100% sure, and we also miss the person," Slot said.
The team's struggles have been compounded by injuries to key players, including Florian Wirtz and Conor Bradley. However, goalkeeper Alisson Becker is expected to return for Saturday's match against Nottingham Forest. Slot faces tough decisions on the right-back position, with Dominik Szoboszlai having played there but performing better in a more advanced role. Curtis Jones or Joe Gomez could be options to fill the gap.
Slot's comments underscore the emotional and practical challenges Liverpool is facing as they navigate the 2025-2026 season without one of their key players. The team's ability to bounce back will be closely watched as they aim to turn their fortunes around.
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