Liverpool have endured a rollercoaster first half of the 2025/26 season. The tragic death of Diogo Jota understandably affected the squad, and combined with summer signings struggling to settle, saw Liverpool encounter difficulties early in the season. Arne Slot’s team appears to have turned a corner and currently sits fourth in the Premier League. Football icon Ruud Gullit recently spoke to FootItalia about the passing of Jota and Liverpool’s return to form.
Ruud Gullit Reflects on Liverpool’s Return to Form
Gullit Talks Jota’s Passing and Grief
Talking to FootItalia, Gullit discussed the impact of losing a teammate and how this would have affected Arne Slot and his Liverpool team:
“He’s a good coach, we all know that but these things take time. I was with Khalid Boulahrouz and he was in Spain at Valencia and he explained about what a team goes through when a teammate dies. It’s different for everyone but it takes a long, long time to get over that. Liverpool went through a difficult emotional period after the death of Diogo Jota. That energy is in the locker room, that affects the entire club, it takes time to get settled.
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“The mourning period is finishing now and I think slowly they are getting over it with him still in their hearts. But grief is a process, and every player handles it differently. The club didn’t talk about the struggle because maybe it would be perceived as a weakness. You want to grieve in your own way, from speaking to Khalid Boulahrouz, I learnt much more about it than before and every player needs to have their own time, not everybody can cope with it in a fast way, it’s not that easy, especially the players who were close to him. Well done to Liverpool for bouncing back.”
Liverpool’s Current Form
Despite drawing four of their last five Premier League games, life is looking brighter at Anfield. Their ability to finish games off has deserted them recently, but things appear to be returning to some form of normality for Slot’s team.
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A top-four finish would be a great achievement for Liverpool, given the passing of Jota and their early-season troubles. Manchester United look rejuvenated, and could run Liverpool close for that fourth place. Chelsea look disjointed, and if Newcastle can find some consistency, they could gain a top-five finish for Champions League qualification.
Featured Image Credit:
IMAGO / Sportimage