Former Nigeria worldwide John Obi Mikel has claimed that Liverpool’s current hunch in kind is a direct results of the emotional impression attributable to the tragic loss of life of Portuguese ahead Diogo Jota.
Talking on his Obi One Podcast, the previous Chelsea midfielder stated that whereas many critics have been fast to query Jürgen Klopp’s techniques and the staff’s psychological energy, few have thought-about the psychological trauma nonetheless lingering within the dressing room following the devastating lack of one in every of their key gamers.
“Folks don’t realise how a lot ache that staff remains to be in,” Mikel stated. “The loss of life of Diogo Jota hit them deeply — not simply as teammates, however as a household. He was beloved in that dressing room. You don’t simply recover from one thing like that in a couple of weeks.”
Liverpool, who’ve suffered a run of inconsistent leads to each the Premier League and Europa League, have confronted mounting criticism from followers and pundits. Nonetheless, Mikel believes that persistence and understanding are what the Reds want most proper now.
“They’re human beings earlier than footballers,” he continued. “You may see the unhappiness nonetheless of their faces, in how they play. The staff has misplaced a few of its spark — not as a result of they don’t care, however as a result of they’re nonetheless therapeutic.”
Mikel, who confronted related emotional challenges throughout his lengthy profession in England, additionally defended Klopp, saying that the German supervisor is “doing every part potential” to revive confidence within the squad.
“This isn’t about techniques or coaching,” he stated. “It’s about hearts. They’ll bounce again, however solely when the therapeutic is full.”
The previous Tremendous Eagles captain ended by urging Liverpool supporters to stay supportive, including that true followers stand behind their staff even within the darkest moments.
