Liverpool: Arne Slot issues Rio Ngumoha injury update as wonderkid forced off in FA Cup win | OneFootball

Reds starlet fell awkwardly and was replaced late in defeat of Barnsley

Arne Slot has played down Rio Ngumoha’s injury worries after the Liverpool wonderkid was withdrawn early against Barnsley.

The tricky 17-year-old winger Ngumoha made his third first-team start of the season as Liverpool beat the Tykes 4-1 at Anfield, but went down injured after 73 minutes and was replaced by Ryan Gravenberch.

It was a disappointing end to an encouraging performance for the youngster, who was creative and direct on the ball.

But speaking at full-time, Slot insisted there was little to worry about, putting Ngumoha’s struggles down to cramp.

He told TNT Sports: “That's cramp, I hope. I expect it to be cramp.”

The Dutchman continued, adding that Ngumoha’s issue was a natural reaction as he gets used to the pace of first-team football.

The youngster had completed 74 and 85 minutes in both of his previous Liverpool starts this season.

Slot went on: “[Ngumoha’s injury] is not so strange because he hasn't made that many minutes this season, and today he made [73]. That's good for him, I think.

“Without wanting to disrespect [Barnsley], the intensity levels in the Premier League are even higher, so that is a nice taste for Rio to keep working really, really, really hard to be able to play 90 at this level."