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Only a few weeks back, Liverpool seemed set to claim back-to-back Premier League titles and possibly a further Champions League crown. Their ability to win despite not optimal performances seemed like the mark of genuine champions.

However, subsequently the tide turned. The Anfield side continued with mediocre showings and began losing points. At the same time, Arsenal, known for their stubborn defense and strength in depth, began closing the gap at the top.

Understanding a Crisis in Modern Football

Can three straight losses constitute a crisis? As with many sporting discussions, it depends entirely on your definition of the key word. Is Paul Scholes world class? How do you define "world class" actually mean? Is the Birmingham club a major team? What constitutes "big"? Are Manchester United returned to prominence? Alright, perhaps that's one we can settle.

At a team of Liverpool's size and previous campaign's excellence, a mini setback appears a reasonable assessment. During a broadcast, former striker Neil Mellor was questioned how many losses in a row would cause alarm. His answer was six. At present, they are halfway to that particular point.

Pinpointing the On-Pitch Issues

One can observe clear tactical problems. Assimilating new additions like Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, who offer a distinct style to previous key players Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, creates a difficulty. Similarly, blending in a gifted playmaker like Florian Wirtz has reportedly disrupted the midfield. Observers of the Bundesliga point out that Wirtz is a technical talent who improves those around him, connecting play effortlessly rather than imposing himself on the game.

Furthermore, a host of individuals who excelled last campaign—such as Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, and Conor Bradley—are currently underperforming. Actually, most of the squad is. And they all have one profound, recent experience: the tragic death of their teammate and friend, Diogo Jota.

The Invisible Impact: Loss on the Pitch

It has been just over three short months since the devastating loss of their friend. Although the outside world progresses quickly, shifting focus to other events, the club's players continue going to work day after day without their friend.

It is not possible to gauge how each player and member of the backroom team is dealing from one day to the next. There is a great deal of speculation. Maybe Salah didn't track back in a particular match because he was tired. But perhaps his performance level is down a few per cent because he misses his friend.

Chelsea's head coach, Enzo Maresca, spoke insightfully before a fixture, making a comparison to his personal situation of losing a teammate, Antonio Puerta, while at Sevilla. "The way they are performing this season is remarkable," he said of Liverpool. "Especially after the tragedy. I lived exactly the same experience when I was a player 20 years ago."

"It's not easy for the players, it's not easy for the club, it's not easy for the manager when you arrive at the training ground and you find daily that place empty. So you have to be very strong. And this is the reason why for me they are doing not well, even better than good. Because they are trying to deal with a situation that is not easy."

Just as summarized succinctly on a well-known fan podcast, the reminders are constant. They are reminded by his chant in the 20th minute, they see his empty locker in the changing room. Even during matches, a through ball might be made and the realization arises: 'Oh, Diogo would have reached that.' When the Egyptian showed emotion in front of the Kop a few games ago, it indicates that everything is not normal.

The Boundaries of Football Analysis and Personal Grief

After covering football for two decades, one realizes there is a inherent lack of depth in most analysis. We simply do not know how an player is feeling at any given time and how that impacts their play. Jota's passing is one of the clearest examples. We know a terrible event occurred, and we understand the concept of sorrow. But further lies an intangible layer of effect on different people at the organization. It is highly likely that some of the squad themselves don't fully understand its effect from one day to the next.

The way the press reports on this and how supporters dissect performances is obviously not the most important factor. On a practical basis, mentioning Jota's death is challenging to accomplish in a short segment before transitioning to on-field issues. Outside of this specific tragedy and outside Liverpool, it would seem strange to preface each critique of a player with an admission that we know so little about their private circumstances—be it their family relationships, personal challenges, or relationship difficulties.

An ex- pro footballer, the defender, lately spoke on a broadcast about how his mother's passing halfway through his career impacted his love for the game. "I lost some joy in football as much," he said. "The high points and the low points that accompany it didn't really feel the same any more." And that was many years into his profession; for Liverpool and Jota, it has been just three months.

The Concluding Thought

So, regardless of what Liverpool accomplish this season—if it's something or if it's nothing—even if we don't mention it every time we analyze their matches, and even if it isn't the cause for their eventual result, we should not forget that a few weeks ago they lost not merely a exceptional player, but, more importantly, they lost a friend.