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Only a few weeks ago, Liverpool seemed destined to secure back-to-back Premier League titles and potentially another Champions League trophy. Their ability to win despite not peak displays felt like the mark of true title-winners.

But, subsequently the momentum shifted. The Anfield side continued with mediocre showings and started losing matches. At the same time, Arsenal, renowned for their resolute backline and strength in depth, started narrowing the distance at the top.

Understanding a Crisis in Today's Game

Can three consecutive losses constitute a crisis? As with most sporting discussions, it depends completely on your definition of the central term. Was the United midfielder elite? What does "world class" even signify? Is the Birmingham club a major club? What defines "big"? Are Manchester United back? Well, perhaps that's a question we might settle.

At a team of this club's stature and previous campaign's excellence, a mini crisis appears a reasonable assessment. On a recent radio show, ex- striker Neil Mellor was asked how many defeats in a row would trigger panic. His reply was six. Currently, they are midway to that point.

Pinpointing the Tactical Issues

One can observe clear tactical problems. Assimilating recent signings like Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, who provide a distinct skill set to departed stalwarts Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, presents a challenge. Likewise, incorporating a talented attacking midfielder like Florian Wirtz has reportedly unbalanced the midfield. Experts of the Bundesliga point out that Wirtz is a technical talent who elevates those beside him, connecting play effortlessly rather than forcing himself upon the game.

Additionally, a host of players who excelled last season—such as Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, and Conor Bradley—are currently underperforming. In fact, the majority of the squad is. And they all share one significant, recent event: the passing of their teammate and companion, Diogo Jota.

The Invisible Effect: Grief on the Pitch

It has been just over three short months since the tragic loss of their friend. Although the outside world moves on quickly, shifting attention to other matters, Liverpool's players continue going to work each day in the absence of their friend.

This is not possible to gauge how each individual and staff member is dealing from one day to the next. There is a great deal of projection. Perhaps Salah didn't track back in a particular match simply he was tired. Or maybe his form is down a few percentage points because he misses his friend.

The London club's head coach, Enzo Maresca, spoke eloquently before a fixture, making a parallel to his own experience of losing a teammate, Antonio Puerta, when at Sevilla. "The way they are doing this season is fantastic," he said of Liverpool. "Especially after the loss. I lived exactly the same thing when I was a player 20 years ago."

"It is difficult for the squad, it's not easy for the organization, it's not easy for the manager when you come to the training ground and you see every day that spot empty. So you must be incredibly resilient. And this is the explanation why for me they are doing not well, but exceptionally well. Because they are attempting to handle a problem that is not easy."

Just as summarized well on a well-known fan podcast, the reminders are constant. The players hear his song in the first half, they notice his empty peg in the dressing room. Even during games, a pass might be played and the realization arises: 'Oh, Diogo would have been there.' When the Egyptian was seen crying in front of the Kop a matches ago, it indicates that all is not normal.

The Boundaries of Punditry and Personal Grief

Having reporting on football for two decades, one comes to believe there is a fundamental superficiality in the majority of punditry. We simply do not know how an individual is feeling at any given time and how that impacts their performance. Jota's death is one of the most stark examples. We know a tragic event happened, and we understand the nature of sorrow. Beyond that lies an intangible level of effect on various people at the organization. It is highly likely that a few of the squad themselves don't fully understand its influence from one moment to the next.

The way the media reports on this and how supporters dissect displays is obviously far from the most important thing. On a functional basis, mentioning Jota's passing is difficult to accomplish in a short soundbite before transitioning to tactical concerns. Outside of this particular tragedy and beyond Liverpool, it would seem strange to qualify every critique of a player with an acknowledgment that we are largely ignorant about their personal lives—be it their family relationships, health challenges, or relationship problems.

An ex- pro footballer, the defender, lately spoke on a broadcast about how his mother's death midway through his career affected his passion for the game. "I lost some joy in football as much," he stated. "Some of the highs and the lows that accompany it no longer felt the same any more." And that was many years into his profession; for Liverpool and Jota, it has been just three short months.

The Final Point

Therefore, regardless of what Liverpool accomplish in the coming months—if it's something or if it's nothing—even if we don't mention it every time we analyze their matches, and even if it is not the sole reason for their final result, we should not forget that a short time ago they suffered the loss of not merely a exceptional player, but, more importantly, they lost a dear friend.