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Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has kept six clean sheets in the Premier League this season Former Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher says the death of Diogo Jota means performances and results at his old club are not quite as important this season. Portuguese winger Jota died in a car crash last summer at the age of 28. Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds, helping them win the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022 and the Premier League title last season. Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League - 14 points behind table-topping Arsenal - in what has been a testing season for the club on the pitch. Republic of Ireland international Kelleher, who left Liverpool for Brentford last June, touched on the emotional impact of Jota's death in an interview with The Independent. , external The 27-year-old said that for his former club it was "more about them personally and mentally" than anything else this season. "Obviously, football is a massive sport and people have an opinion, which is natural. People expect you to move on quite quickly, and I don't think that's the case, " Kelleher said. "I find it a bit strange and a bit difficult when I hear people speaking about the players at Liverpool and the performances, because I don't think this season is even important from a football aspect for them. " Last November, Reds boss Arne Slot said his side miss Jota both as a player and a person. Those remarks came in the wake of an emotional post-match interview from Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson after Scotland had qualified for the World Cup. Robertson said he had "been in bits" because he "couldn't get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head" in the build up to a thrilling victory over Denmark which clinched their spot at the tournament. Kelleher, who made 67 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, having joined the club's academy in 2015, posted on Instagram when Jota died that the former Wolves player had become "one of my closest friends in football". He acknowledged that coming to terms with Jota's death had been "a bit easier" since he was no longer at Anfield. "I stay in touch with some of the guys there, I have a lot of good friends there. It's a very difficult time for them, a difficult season, with circumstances that people probably aren't taking into account too much, " explained Kelleher. "But it's probably been a bit easier for me, being away from it, and not being in such close proximity to it every day. "From an individual aspect, for me to leave and play first-team football was obviously right, never mind the tragedy that happened. " Latest Liverpool news, analysis and fan views Ask about Liverpool - what do you want to know? Selfies with Snoop as GB curlers remain unbeaten Davis Cup: GB's Cash & Glasspool broken after taking first set against Norway From £70 a week to brink of Premier League record 24 years later The biggest global stage for winter sports returns The Six Nations is shaken by France’s opening statement Lord Sugar's hopefuls jet off to Hong Kong John Le Carré’s son discusses what's next for The Night Manager From £70 a week to brink of Premier League record 24 years later Ruthless France blow Ireland away in Six Nations opener. Video Ruthless France blow Ireland away in Six Nations opener How Casemiro revived his Man Utd career All you need to know about the 2026 Winter Olympics Where the Super Bowl will be won and lost Top run-scorer, wicket-taker and champion - T20 World Cup predictions Sutton's predictions v Gladiators star Apollo Same again please Bruno - FPL team of the week Why Man Utd are taking their time over manager decision How penis injections became a Winter Olympic talking point Trends and tactics to look for at 2026 T20 World Cup Inside Man City's rebuild and plan for life without Guardiola A 'special' snooker player who became a TV star - John Virgo obituary Who won the WSL transfer window? Rate each club's deals Is the evil empire back? How the Patriots rebuilt a broken dynasty 'Years in the making' - are Arsenal ready to shed 'nearly-men' tag? What impact might 'unprecedented' Six Nations schedule have? 'Don't be afraid of being different, it's your superpower' In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week Mariah Carey and more curling - Friday's Winter Olympics guide Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.