Liverpool manager Arne Slot provided a reassuring update on teenage winger Rio Ngumoha after the 17-year-old was forced off with an apparent injury during the Reds’ 4-1 FA Cup third-round victory over Barnsley at Anfield on Monday night.
The promising youngster, making his third senior start of the season, caused a moment of concern when he slipped on the astroturf surrounding the pitch and went down in discomfort after 73 minutes, requiring treatment before being substituted for Ryan Gravenberch.
However, speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Slot was quick to downplay the severity, attributing the issue to cramp as part of the player’s natural adaptation to first-team football.
“That’s cramp, I hope. I expect it to be cramp,” Slot said in his post-match assessment. He contextualized the situation by noting Ngumoha’s current physical conditioning. “It 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,” the Dutch manager explained, referencing the player’s previous starts of 74 and 85 minutes earlier in the campaign.
Slot framed the episode as a valuable learning experience, pointing out the even higher intensity demanded in the Premier League. “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,” he added.
The incident briefly overshadowed a comfortable victory secured by goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, and substitutes Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz. Ngumoha had been a bright spark prior to his withdrawal, showcasing the direct running and trickery that has marked his rapid rise.
His continued involvement is seen as increasingly important for Slot’s squad, which is currently navigating several absences including the season-ending knee injury to Conor Bradley and the long-term ankle fracture sustained by Alexander Isak, while Mohamed Salah remains at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The return of forward Hugo Ekitike from a brief injury layoff during the Barnsley match offers some relief.
Slot’s calm response underscores a deliberate approach to managing the club’s young talent. He emphasized the normalcy of such physical adjustments for a player of Ngumoha’s age. “It’s already great for him, for Liverpool and for everybody that is following us that a 17-year-old makes so many minutes in a Liverpool shirt,” Slot stated.
“Let’s hope he can continue and we can bring him further and further towards 90 minutes at Premier League level”.
With the immediate injury fears allayed, Liverpool will now prepare for a return to Premier League action against Burnley at Anfield this weekend, with Ngumoha expected to be in contention.