Caoimhin Kelleher has spoken openly about his journey with grief after Diogo Jota‘s death, and why it will not have been easy for Liverpool to “play at the highest level” this season.
Kelleher, who left Liverpool for Brentford last summer, was a close friend of Jota and had attended his wedding before the Portuguese’s tragic death alongside his brother, Andre, in July.
With the Reds having endured a turbulent season, the Irishman previously admitted in February that he had found the analysis and scrutiny of Arne Slot‘s side as “strange” and “difficult.”
“I don’t think this season is even important from a football aspect for them, to be honest,” he said in a sombre reminder of the unquantifiable toll of Jota’s passing.
Now, in an interview with The Athletic, he reiterated the difficulty of his former teammates playing “at the highest level” while navigating unimaginable grief.
“For Liverpool, I don’t think it’s a season about football, really, for me,” he said.
“Of course it is, but I think the situation, what happened…it’s a massive shock to everyone. You’re going through a lot of grief, a lot of different emotions.
“It’s not easy for those players to play at the highest level and be going through that as well. It’s been a tough season for them.”
Kelleher’s perspective is unique in that he knows the current Liverpool squad, and that him not being in such close proximity to the club has made his experience different.
But he also admitted his recent transition into fatherhood, welcoming boy-girl twins, has affected his grieving journey, offering another reminder of the reality of what Jota’s friends and teammates are facing.
“Maybe it does probably heighten what happened,” Kelleher says. “Yeah, maybe that does bring it into perspective even a bit more.
“But, listen, it’s grief. Everyone goes through it at some point, and it is difficult.
“You have your days; you have moments where it comes into your mind, and it is obviously very sad, and it’s tough.
“But sometimes nice memories pop in as well, and you think of fun times as well. Grief is not easy. Being surrounded by good people here helps.”
Alexis Mac Allister recently insisted that Jota’s death had not led to Liverpool’s difficult season nor could it be used as an excuse, but it is fair to say every player will have been affected differently.