Arne Slot Says It’s ‘Impossible To Measure’ Impact Of Diogo Jota’s Death As Liverpool Struggle For Form

Liverpool are playing football this season with a weight far heavier than any tactical imbalance or fixture congestion. The tragic death of forward Diogo Jota in July 2025 continues to cast a long emotional shadow over the dressing room, and manager Arne Slot has admitted that while the team is grieving deeply, there can be no excuses for their inconsistent performances.

A Rocky Start To The Title Defence

For a team crowned Premier League champions just months ago, Liverpool’s start to the season has been surprisingly turbulent. They’ve lost six of their last seven games across all competitions, including a bruising 3–0 defeat to Manchester City and a painful EFL Cup exit at home to Crystal Palace.

Defensively, they’ve looked vulnerable—conceding early, chasing games, and keeping only three clean sheets in 11 league matches.
Yet, in typical Liverpool fashion, they also delivered a wild, statement win over Real Madrid. The potential exists—it just hasn’t settled into consistency.

Robertson: “I Couldn’t Get My Mate Diogo Out Of My Head”

After Scotland booked their spot at the 2026 World Cup with a 4–2 victory over Denmark, Andy Robertson became visibly emotional while speaking about Jota.

The Liverpool captain shared that he had been “in bits” all day, thinking of his late teammate.
He and Jota had talked for years about appearing together at a World Cup—something that now will never happen.

“I know he’ll be somewhere smiling over me tonight,” Robertson said, dedicating the victory to his friend.

It was a poignant reminder that grief doesn’t follow match schedules or recovery timelines.

Slot: “We Miss The Player And We Miss The Person”

Arne Slot openly acknowledged how deeply the club still feels Jota’s absence—both the forward who could change a game in seconds and the warm personality who resonated in the dressing room.

He said:
“It is impossible to measure what it does to the players and to our results. The last thing I will do is use it as an excuse.”

Slot reflected on moments like last season’s Nottingham Forest game, where Jota scored within a minute of coming on to spark a comeback.
Liverpool miss that spark. They miss the goals. But they also miss the man.

Slot added:
“It is good for us to remember him at all times… What must it feel like for his wife and children? It is much harder for them than for us.”

A reminder that beyond the football world’s grief lies a family’s unimaginable loss.

Liverpool’s Challenge Moving Forward

The Reds are walking a difficult emotional tightrope—balancing professional expectations with the human reality of losing someone close. Slot insists the club won’t hide behind tragedy, but the psychological toll is evident.

As they prepare for Nottingham Forest again, the memory of Jota’s heroics lingers.
Liverpool’s story this season isn’t just about football form—it’s about healing, resilience, and rediscovering identity after heartbreak.