Jota sadly died in the summer in a devastating car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva in what is one of the biggest tragedies in football history.
The Portuguese star scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the Reds and helped the club win the FA Cup, League Cup and the Premier League title last season.
His death was a crushing blow for the sporting world but more so the Liverpool squad who many believe have failed so far this season as they still mourn his passing.
Speaking to The Independent, Kelleher, who played alongside Jota for a number of years at Liverpool, said the event is not something you get over quickly.
“Listen, from an individual aspect, for me to leave and play first-team football was obviously right, never mind the tragedy that happened. 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. 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.
“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 to be honest. It’s more about them personally and mentally.
"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.”
Liverpool will be aiming to move back into the top four this weekend as they take on Manchester City. Jota scored 1 goal against City for the Reds in 2022 when he slid the ball past Ederson to level the score in what was a 2-2 thriller. As the one-year anniversary of his death approaches, fans and players alike will remember him more each day.