Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher says the Reds are being judged unfairly this season following the death of the popular Diogo Jota
Caoimhin Kelleher (left)was a close friend of Diogo Jota (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Caoimhin Kelleher (left)was a close friend of Diogo Jota (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View Image
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher believes his former team-mates are being unfairly judged for their performances this season, insisting the death of Diogo Jota is still being felt immensely around the Anfield dressing room.
And the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, who joined Brentford in an £18m deal last year, says this campaign shouldn't even be considered as an important one for the club while they continue to grieve for the popular Portuguese.
Jota died in a car accident with his brother Andre Silva in early July as they made their way back to the United Kingdom for the Reds' No.20 to begin pre-season training and their death rocked the football world over the summer.
Since then, it has proven to be a difficult term for Arne Slot and his squad, with the champions now sixth heading into this weekend's visit from pManchester City. The Reds have lost seven times in the Premier League and are behind Manchester United and Chelsea in the battle for the Champions League places.
Kelleher, who played with Jota for five years on Merseyside, thinks his former colleagues shouldn't even have to worry about their performances during this particular period.
“Listen, from an individual aspect, for me to leave and play first-team football was obviously right, never mind the tragedy that happened," Kelleher told The Independent. "I stay in touch with some of the guys there, I have a lot of good friends there.
"It’s a very difficult time for them, a difficult season, with circumstances that people probably aren’t taking into account too much. But it’s probably been a bit easier for me, being away from it, and not being in such close proximity to it every day.
“I find it a bit strange and a bit difficult when I hear people speaking about the players at Liverpool and the performances, because I don’t think this season is even important from a football aspect for them to be honest. It’s more about them personally and mentally.
“Obviously, football is a massive sport and people have an opinion, which is natural. People expect you to move on quite quickly, and I don’t think that’s the case.”
Liverpool retired Jota's No.20 shirt following his passing as a tribute to the former Wolves star.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page