Liverpool: Arne Slot hits back at Anfield boos after Rio Ngumoha substitution | OneFootball

Under-pressure Dutchman faced yet more jeers after withdrawing exciting youngster

Arne Slot has explained why he substituted Rio Ngumoha during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea after the Anfield faithful booed his decision to do so.

Ngumoha made his third Premier League start of the season as his boyhood club visited Merseyside and assisted Ryan Gravenberch’s stellar opener, but was replaced by Alexander Isak with 67 minutes played.

A chorus of boos met Slot’s decision to withdraw the exciting youngster, who had enjoyed another impressive performance. Speaking post-match, the Liverpool boss was given the opportunity to explain the move away.

He revealed that Ngumoha had been struggling with cramp before he was withdrawn and had asked to be replaced.

Rio Ngumoha put on another impressive performance against Chelsea

Getty

He continued, saying he was disappointed by the Liverpool fans’ reaction to his decision, but acknowledged that he expected it.

“It makes complete sense if you take a player off that's playing well, that assisted, that people don't expect you to take that player off – which wasn't my intention to do. He's a good player but I don't think he's at the level yet to play at 60 or 50 per cent to then make the difference.

“But maybe the fans have a different opinion, they think that he would have been able to play at this level, but not being fit enough anymore to sprint and to make your actions. So yeah, if you don't know that and you feel like, 'Why is he taking him off?' then I understand that reaction.

“I knew the moment his number went up that that would have been the reaction. But that's not a reason then not to [make the substitution] and keep a player in the team that tells me he cannot continue.

“And after the game, I think it also makes sense because I don't think this club should be happy with a 1-1 result against Chelsea. We always aim for a win and if we don't win then we're disappointed.

“And especially in a season where we haven't won a lot or not as much as people expect us to do then it's just building up frustration and that came out probably after half-time. But I think the players and myself had the same frustration as the fans.”