Arne Slot has taken plenty of flak from Liverpool supporters this season for his perceived mistreatment of Rio Ngumoha.
Reds fans have been desperate to see more of Ngumoha after a sparkling pre-season, and having watched him play for only 89 Premier League minutes, there is a feeling that Slot is stalling his development.
However, after the 17-year-old changed the game in Liverpool‘s favour against Nottingham Forest last weekend, the Dutchman has now spoken at length about Ngumoha, proving that he is fully aware of what a special talent he has on his hands.
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Slot is not overlooking Ngumoha
Naturally, Slot was asked about Ngumoha’s ‘lack’ of minutes during his pre-West Ham press conference on Friday, with the Liverpool head coach keen to point out that the teenager is now playing more and more.
“I think if you want to be more realistic, or you just tell the truth! Then you see that his playing time has improved massively over the last few weeks and the reason for that is because he developed, he became a better player,” said Slot.
Rio Ngumoha for Liverpool against Nottingham Forest, with Arne Slot behind him
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“I play him more and more recently and that’s due to the fact that he does well when he comes in. I really like where he’s at at the moment, where he is in his development. I would be surprised if he stays fit that more minutes don’t come in the near future.”
For those claiming that Slot is somehow ignorant to how good Ngumoha could be, this is something of a body blow. The 47-year-old works with him every day, and is clearly seeing what other fans can see when he steps out onto the pitch.
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Still, this did not stop Slot from being asked once again about Ngumoha during the press conference, with the next question being about how he manages to keep the youngster’s feet on the ground after so much praise.
Once more, Slot’s answer showed that he is fully aware that he could have a special player at his disposal, and that he is simply being responsible about how and when to use him.
“Totally not difficult because of how he is and that’s something special,” he answered. “For a 17 year old to be hyped how he is throughout his whole career, how special he is and his talent, he’s handling that situation really well.”
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“That’s a big compliment to him and his parents. He’s down to earth, works really hard and doesn’t lose his head because one or two pundits say something positive about his game.
“We have to keep his special quality and that’s beating players in one-v-ones. We want to take good care of him because we have a lot of belief in how special he is.”
Slot is the best person for Ngumoha’s development
It takes a manager who knows his own mind – and those of his players’ – to stand firm and calm in the midst of a clamour to change his tactics or personnel.
And, although it can at times rub supporters up the wrong way, Slot is very much that type of coach.
A lesser manager would buckle, especially in the face of poor results, and bow to pressure from the sidelines for whatever new decision has to be taken. But Slot is not that person.
Instead, he has continued to use Ngumoha in the best way for both the team and the player’s development. It is not a case of Slot not realising the qualities Ngumoha has and how that can be useful to Liverpool, he is simply trying to do right by the youngster and his team at the same time.
So, Liverpool fans can relax. Slot is not going to squander this talent. It is a case of when not if Ngumoha plays more, but that means a little more patience needs to be exercised.
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