Jota's death no excuse for poor form: Slot
Arne Slot said it was "impossible to measure" the impact Diogo Jota's death has had on his team, but insisted he would not use the tragedy as an excuse for Liverpool's poor recent form.
Jota died in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora in July, along with his brother, Andre Silva, with widespread tributes pouring in for the Portugal international.
His passing has affected all of Liverpool's squad, with Andy Robertson giving an emotional interview after helping seal Scotland's place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in midweek.
Robertson said he had "been in bits" ahead of the 4-2 win over Denmark, later adding that he and Jota had both spoken about competing at the FIFA World Cup together.
"I saw the interview [with Robertson] live and I know that it is an issue for us, which is completely normal," Slot said.
"At this moment in time, I always think about how it must feel for his wife and his children.
"It is so, so, so much harder for them than it is for us. But that we will miss the player and the person is completely clear.
"Now we play Nottingham Forest. Last season there we were 1-0 down, and it only took him [Jota] one minute to score the equaliser.
"It is good for us to remember him at all times. It is possible because of the person and player he was.
"It is impossible to measure what it does to the players and to our results. The last thing I would do is use it as an excuse.
"I don't know. What I do know is that we miss the player, that is 100% sure, and we miss the person, but I cannot measure the impact that has on our results.
"That is impossible for me to say, and we will never use it as an excuse."
Liverpool has lost five of its past six Premier League games, winning just one, more than the four it lost in the whole of its title-winning campaign last season.
Before this run, the Reds had only lost five of their previous 49 league fixtures, winnign 33 of those, but will hope to get back on track this Sunday (AEDT) at home to Forest.
Slot's side sits eighth on the Premier League table, the latest in a season it has started a match this low down since April 2023, and is eight points behind leader Arsenal.
Despite a favourable run of fixtures, with its clash with Forest followed by league outings against West Ham United and Leeds United, Slot played down his team's title chances.
"I've said many times, at this moment in time we are not thinking or talking about it," Slot added.
"Same last season, when we were top of the league. It is just about the next game.
"The best way to judge a league table is after 38 games. The next best, in my opinion, is after 19 games. Let's see where we are then.
"For now, the only focus we have is on winning games of football."
Slot also confirmed ahead of welcoming Sean Dyche's team to Anfield that goalkeeper Alisson is fit to return between the sticks.
Alisson has missed Liverpool's past eight matches in all competitions with a hamstring injury, with deputy Giorgi Mamardashvili conceding 11 goals in seven appearances during the Brazilian's absence, keeping just two clean sheets.
The Dutch boss did, however, confirm that he would be without defender Conor Bradley and midfielder Florian Wirtz, who both picked up issues on international duty.
"Alisson trained last week and this week, so he will be able to play tomorrow if things work out well today," Slot said. "If he's ready to play, he will start.
"But we do have some issues after the international break, unfortunately. Conor Bradley is not able to play and Florian Wirtz is not able to play. That's far from ideal."
