Former Nigeria international John Obi Mikel has claimed that Liverpool’s recent slump in form is a direct result of the emotional impact caused by the tragic death of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota.
Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder said that while many critics have been quick to question Jürgen Klopp’s tactics and the team’s mental strength, few have considered the psychological trauma still lingering in the dressing room following the devastating loss of one of their key players.
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“People don’t realise how much pain that team is still in,” Mikel said. “The death of Diogo Jota hit them deeply — not just as teammates, but as a family. He was loved in that dressing room. You don’t just get over something like that in a few weeks.”
Liverpool, who have suffered a run of inconsistent results in both the Premier League and Europa League, have faced mounting criticism from fans and pundits. However, Mikel believes that patience and understanding are what the Reds need most right now.
“They’re human beings before footballers,” he continued. “You can see the sadness still in their faces, in how they play. The team has lost some of its spark — not because they don’t care, but because they’re still healing.”
Mikel, who faced similar emotional challenges during his long career in England, also defended Klopp, saying that the German manager is “doing everything possible” to restore confidence in the squad.
“This is not about tactics or training,” he said. “It’s about hearts. They’ll bounce back, but only when the healing is complete.”
The former Super Eagles captain ended by urging Liverpool supporters to remain supportive, adding that true fans stand behind their team even in the darkest moments.
