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The only positive to come out of Liverpool’s draw with Chelsea on Saturday was Rio Ngumoha.
Even if he was only in the team because a lot of players were missing, Liverpool fans loved watching Ngumoha in action.
He assisted Ryan Gravenberch for the opening goal at Anfield, and the Dutchman has now praised the youngster in a post-match interview.
Has Slot completely lost the fans after Anfield booed his decision to take Ngumoha off?
What was your reaction to the substitution?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine Ryan Gravenberch calls Rio Ngumoha a ‘fantastic’ talent
Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, as per BBC Sport, Gravenberch said: “It is really good. He is only 17 years old yet we have all seen how he plays.
“When he gets the ball, he wants to take on the 1v1 every time. He is fantastic. I hope he can keep going like this.”
Ngumoha brought energy, pace, and willingness to run at the opposition defence, something we have not seen for most of this season.
Yet, despite being Liverpool’s best player on the day and the only one who looked like creating anything, Slot took him off for Alexander Isak and moved Cody Gakpo out wide.
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Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Arne Slot explains why Rio Ngumoha was taken off vs Chelsea
This, as you would expect, did not go down well with the fans in the ground, who booed the change.
However, Slot has now spoken out about why Ngumoha was taken off against Chelsea.
He says the winger had a muscle issue and could not continue the match. When asked about the aforementioned boos, the Dutchman said: “I don’t think it was some of them – there were a lot that didn’t agree with the change, which is completely understandable.
“He was having problems with his muscles and when I asked him he said he was not sure he could continue. I knew this would be the reaction because he is such a good player. So often in football, people don’t know everything. I am the manager and I need to make decisions.
“Knowing why makes it more sense for people.”
Hopefully Ngumoha recovers in time for the meeting with Aston Villa next Friday, and if he does play, he will join Michael Owen in the record books for the most appearances before turning 18 (current record is 18).
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