Rio Ngumoha’s minutes for Liverpool are too low for a player of such quality, but Arne Slot’s admission offers some bit of an explanation.
The Reds have one of the most exciting players in the Premier League on their books, but he warms the bench most weeks and fans haven’t been shy about questioning the Dutchman over it.
Ngumoha is a special talent who excites everyone who watches him with explosive pace and tight control.
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Do you think it’s time for Arne Slot to start trusting Rio Ngumoha more?
Aldo reckons he would solve our predictability issue…
John Aldridge on Rio Ngumoha
John Aldridge on Rio Ngumoha
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When he has played, Ngumoha has shown exactly why the hype is so loud, but Slot’s reluctance to play him more has been explained ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup match against Barnsley.
Arne Slot is worried about overworking Rio Ngumoha
Given the level of noise around the 17-year-old, there’s no doubt Slot is aware of the discontent brewing.
That’s why he went out of his way to justify not playing him much.
In his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday night’s Barnsley tie, he was asked about the health of another Liverpool youngster, Jayden Danns, and pivoted quickly to Ngumoha.
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He said: “No. Not fit enough. No, not even training. If I’m correct, [Danns] is one of the players who got a stress fracture because he was young and, from what I’ve been told, was a bit overtrained.
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool reacts to Atletico de Madrid's second goal scored by Marcos Llorente (not pictured) during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
“That’s why we are so careful with Rio Ngumoha, that he’s two days a week off the pitch if that’s possible, to not have that same situation with him.”
While this doesn’t really justify his lack of game time, it sounds like an attempt from the Liverpool boss to do exactly that.
Rio Ngumoha has to feature against Barnsley
If ever there was a game to show trust in Ngumoha, it’s this one
Slot could go with a strong team against Barnsley. He will remember the embarrassment of last season, when Plymouth knocked out a heavily rotated Liverpool side.
Given how often he brings up that result, it’s clear he will want to make up for it this season.
Which of Liverpool’s last XI to play Barnsley would you pick to play Monday’s game?
There's no way this team should have lost 🫣
Liverpool throwback XI vs Barnsley
This was the last time the two clubs met…
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That being said, it’s a good opportunity to appease a frustrated fanbase by giving chances to players they feel are being underutilised — Ngumoha is at the top of that list.
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