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Only a couple of weeks ago, the Merseyside club seemed destined to claim back-to-back Premier League titles and possibly another Champions League crown. The team's ability to win despite not optimal performances seemed like the hallmark of true title-winners.

But, subsequently the tide shifted. Liverpool continued with average performances and started losing matches. At the same time, the North London club, known for their resolute backline and squad depth, started closing the gap at the top.

Understanding a Crisis in Modern Football

Does three consecutive losses represent a collapse? Like many football debates, it hinges entirely on your interpretation of the key term. Was the United midfielder elite? What does "world class" actually signify? Is the Birmingham club a big team? What defines "major"? Are Manchester United returned to prominence? Well, maybe that is one we might answer.

At a team of this club's size and last season's brilliance, a minor setback seems a reasonable description. On a recent radio show, former forward Neil Mellor was questioned how many defeats in a row would cause alarm. His reply was six. At present, they are midway to that point.

Identifying the Tactical Problems

There are clear footballing problems. Integrating new additions like Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, who offer a distinct style to previous stalwarts Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, presents a difficulty. Likewise, blending in a gifted attacking midfielder like Florian Wirtz has reportedly unbalanced the midfield. Experts of the Bundesliga point out that Wirtz is a creative player who elevates those around him, linking play effortlessly rather than imposing himself on the game.

Furthermore, a host of individuals who shone last campaign—such as Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, and Conor Bradley—are now underperforming. Actually, most of the team are. And they all have one significant, fresh event: the passing of their colleague and friend, Diogo Jota.

The Invisible Impact: Loss on the Pitch

We are now just more than three months since the devastating passing of their friend. While the outside world moves on quickly, shifting attention to other matters, Liverpool's squad continue training and playing each day in the absence of their mate.

It is impossible to gauge how every individual and member of the backroom team is coping from one day to the next. There is a significant amount of projection. Perhaps Salah didn't track back in a particular match because he lacked energy. Or perhaps his form is down a small percentage points due to the fact he is grieving for his friend.

The London club's head coach, Enzo Maresca, spoke eloquently before a recent, drawing a comparison to his personal situation of the loss of a fellow player, Antonio Puerta, when at Sevilla. "How they are doing this campaign is remarkable," he said of Liverpool. "Especially after the loss. I went through a very similar thing when I was a player 20 years ago."

"It is difficult for the players, it's not easy for the club, it's not easy for the coach when you come to the training complex and you find daily that place vacant. So you must be incredibly resilient. And this is the reason why for me they are doing not well, but exceptionally well. Because they are trying to handle a problem that is not easy."

Just as explained succinctly on a well-known fan podcast, the reminders are ongoing. They are reminded by his chant in the 20th minute, they see his unused peg in the dressing room. Even during games, a through ball might be played and the thought arises: 'Oh, Diogo would have reached that.' If Salah showed emotion in front of the Kop a few games ago, it signals that all is not normal.

The Limits of Punditry and Human Emotion

After reporting on football for two decades, one realizes there is a fundamental superficiality in the majority of punditry. We simply do not know how an individual is coping at any specific moment and how that affects their play. Jota's passing is one of the most stark examples. We know a tragic thing occurred, and we understand the nature of grief. Beyond that lies an intangible layer of impact on different individuals at the organization. It is highly likely that a few of the squad personally don't truly grasp its effect from one day to the next.

The way the press reports on this and how supporters dissect performances is clearly far from the most important thing. On a practical basis, bringing up Jota's death is challenging to accomplish in a brief soundbite before moving on to tactical issues. Beyond this specific tragedy and beyond Liverpool, it would seem bizarre to qualify each criticism of a footballer with an acknowledgment that we are largely ignorant about their private circumstances—be it their parental relationships, personal challenges, or marital problems.

A former pro player, the defender, recently talked on a broadcast about how his mother's passing halfway through his career impacted his passion for the game. "I lost some joy in football as much," he said. "Some of the highs and the low points that come with it no longer felt the same after that." And that was many years into his profession; for Liverpool and Jota, it has been just three months.

The Final Thought

So, whatever Liverpool accomplish in the coming months—be it success or failure—whether or not we don't mention it whenever we discuss their fixtures, even if it isn't the reason for their final result, we should not forget that a few weeks ago they lost not merely a exceptional footballer, but, more importantly, they said goodbye to a dear friend.