EXCLUSIVE: Livrpool is in mourning following the loss of Diogo Jota and inside the squad emotions are likley to be running high, according to experts speaking to the Daily Star
07:00, 09 Jul 2025Updated 07:17, 09 Jul 2025
Diogo Jota died in a carcrash last week
Diogo Jota died in a carcrash last week(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
What should have been a glorious return to the training field after last season's title triumph has already turned into a sad affair. One by one Rolls Royces, BMWs, Mercades and other swish motors of Liverpool FC’s players rolled into the club’s AXA Training Centre yesterday.
It was the squads first day back at training since teammate Diogo Jota had died in a horrific crash on his way back to Britain to rejoin them. But what will the psychological impact for the squad be after losing such an influential team-mate and friend?
Already, captain and star centre-back Virgil van Dijk and full-back Andy Robertson have appeared laying a wreath in Jota’s memory at his funeral last week. But with the season just a few weeks away the pressure on the rest of the superstars could be immense.
Here the Daily Star talks to mental health professionals about the impact the loss of Jota may have on the Liverpool squad - and how they could hope to overcome it...
Liverpool is coming to terms with its loss
Liverpool is coming to terms with its loss(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Dr Daniel Glazer a Clinical Psychologist and founder of UK Therapy Rooms said: “The immediate reaction within the squad is likely to mix acute grief with a sense of unreality,” Elite athletes depend on predictable routines, and a sudden loss can strip away that anchor, which may trigger disturbed sleep, intrusive images, and appetite changes.
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“Survivor guilt may surface, especially in teammates who were with Jota shortly before his death, because the mind searches for explanations after an unexpected tragedy. Research on traumatic bereavement shows concentration tends to drop when cognitive resources are redirected to processing loss, so minor errors in training or matches are understandably possible in the opening weeks.”
Ther ehas been a massive groundswell of love to Jota
There has been a massive groundswell of love to Jota(Image: PA)
He added: “Many may channel their emotion into a collective narrative, such as dedicating the season to Jota, because shared purpose can decrease isolation and increase the release of oxytocin, thereby strengthening social bonds.
“Joint activities such as the attendance of the funeral together or creating a memorial corner in the dressing room may foster synchrony among teammates, and this synchrony may correlate with lower rates of prolonged grief.”
There will be 'acute stress' on stars
Dr Ravi Gill, a Chartered Psychologist, Practitioner Psychologist and Clinical Supervisor, agreed: “For those who knew him closely, the experience may lead to symptoms of acute stress, difficulty focusing, or emotional numbness, especially as they try to perform in high-pressure environments.
"Players often cope through peer support, leaning on team unity, and through structured routines that provide stability amidst emotional upheaval. The club is likely to offer immediate access to grief counselling, trauma-informed therapy, and possibly group sessions to encourage shared processing of loss.”
Andrew Robertson has already laid flowers in memory of his team mate
Andrew Robertson has already laid flowers in memory of his team mate(Image: PA)
The support the players receive will no doubt be top class, but with margins fine at the elite end of the sport, the room for error is fine.
“Football clubs at this level typically provide access to in-house sports psychologists and wellness staff, but uptake depends on culture,” Dr. Sarah Boss, Clinical Director of the The Balance Rehab Clinic, explained. “If there’s emotional permission, from leadership and peers, to grieve, players are more likely to engage. In cases of traumatic loss, therapy may be offered proactively, especially if there’s evidence of disrupted sleep, detachment, or emotional numbing.
“The most effective support in the early phase isn’t clinical treatment, it’s containment, regulation, and space to feel. Rituals like team tributes, memory-sharing, or even symbolic gestures on the pitch can also serve as important outlets.”
Dressing room dynamic will be tested
But while emotions will be ruining high for those who knew him well, Liverpool’s dressing-room dynamic may be further complicated by the new signings joining the club this summer.
Players like Conor Bradley (pictured) cam through with Jota at the club
Younger players like Conor Bradley (pictured) came through with Jota at the club(Image: PA)
The Reds have already secured the signatures of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. But they now face the daunting challenge of trying to fit into a group of people mourning the loss of a friend they barely knew.
“New players such as Frimpong and Wirtz face a unique challenge - integrating into a team that’s emotionally wounded, navigating the dual pressure of proving themselves while respecting a grief process they weren’t directly part of,” said Dr Gill.
"This can lead to feelings of isolation or hesitancy, requiring sensitive onboarding and mental health support tailored to both their performance and emotional wellbeing.”
Her words were echoed by Dr Glazer, who pointed to how players may alter their behaviour to how they would usually act.
Players may hold back from joking
“They may hold back from casual joking for fear of appearing insensitive, which can slow their social integration and affect confidence on the pitch,” he said, “Assigning each newcomer a senior mentor is effective because guided conversations clarify unwritten rules and give permission to express feelings without fear of overstepping.”
New players like Jeremie Frimpong (pictured) have the task of fitting in to a greiving squad
New players like Jeremie Frimpong (pictured) have the task of fitting in to a greiving squad(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
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“New players may feel emotionally disconnected from the loss, but they will enter a team that is grieving,” added Dr Boss. “There’s often an invisible weight in the room, and they may sense a shift in tone, bonding, or even leadership dynamics. It’s important these players are offered empathy and orientation, not just tactical integration.
“A death in a team changes the emotional architecture. These players may need help understanding the loss, how it’s affected their teammates, and how to show respect while still establishing their own place within the club.”