Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has revealed that the club’s players are still emotionally struggling following the tragic death of teammate Diogo Jota, saying football results have taken a back seat this season.
Jota, the Portuguese international winger, died in a car crash last summer at the age of 28, a loss that continues to cast a long shadow over the club. The forward scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool and played a crucial role in the Reds’ FA Cup and League Cup triumphs in 2022, as well as their Premier League title win last season.
Speaking to The Independent, as reported by BBC Sport, Kelleher said the emotional toll of Jota’s death has reshaped Liverpool’s outlook this campaign, with players prioritising their mental wellbeing over performances on the pitch.
“People expect you to move on quite quickly, but I don’t think that’s realistic,” Kelleher said. “This season isn’t really important from a football perspective for them. It’s more about them personally and mentally.”
Liverpool currently sit sixth in the Premier League, trailing leaders Arsenal by 14 points, and have endured a challenging season by their usual standards. However, Kelleher believes the wider football public has underestimated the psychological impact of losing a teammate.
“I find it strange when people judge the players purely on performances,” he added. “There are circumstances that people probably aren’t taking into account.”
Kelleher’s comments echo earlier remarks by Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who admitted in November that the team still deeply misses Jota both as a player and as a person. Defender Andrew Robertson also spoke emotionally after Scotland’s World Cup qualifier, revealing he had struggled mentally while thinking about Jota in the build-up to the match against Denmark.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper, who left Liverpool for Brentford last June after making 67 appearances since joining the club’s academy in 2015, said the tragedy has been easier for him to process since leaving Anfield.
“I’m still in touch with a lot of the lads there, and it’s a very difficult time for them,” he said. “Being away from it every day has probably made it a bit easier for me.”
Kelleher also stressed that his move to Brentford was the right decision for his career, regardless of the tragic circumstances.
“From an individual point of view, leaving to play regular first-team football was the right step for me,” he concluded.
