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Liverpool fans turn up the heat on Slot after controversial Ngumoha decision

9 May 2026 14:57 BST | 4 min read

Arne Slot, Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool

Tom Weber

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Liverpool fans emphatically voiced their displeasure with the decision-making of head coach Arne Slot when he substituted Rio Ngumoha during Saturday's clash with Chelsea.

The 17-year-old produced the assist for Ryan Gravenberch's spectacular early opener against the Blues at Anfield. Ngumoha made an instant impact in what was just his third start of the league campaign.

The fact that the highly-rated prospect has only sporadically featured over the course of the season has been a source of major frustration for Liverpool supporters, particularly because the alternative, Cody Gakpo, can be an infuriating player to watch.

The Reds refrained from adequately replacing Luis Diaz last summer because club chiefs felt that, with Gakpo and Ngumoha, they were well-stocked in that department. However, Slot evidently didn't quite see it that way.

Ngumoha featured early on in the season but then became something of a forgotten man. Only recently has the youngster been given more minutes, but fans feel that it has been too little too late in what has been a disappointing campaign.

Slot booed for Ngumoha substitution

Ngumoha offers Liverpool what no other player in the squad has: pace, dribbling ability and youthful expressiveness that allows him to beat players when charging down the wing.

However, Slot will argue, and perhaps rightfully so, that the 17-year-old is not yet consistent enough to get regular minutes. Ngumoha is a player who produces highlights but struggles with other aspects of the game, but this is perhaps to be expected of someone this young.

This was evident against Chelsea. He produced the assist and had one or two more moments of brilliance, but he struggled with his defensive responsibilities and was bypassed for large stretches of the game.

However, he still had more of an impact than Liverpool's other players, such as Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong, who yet again struggled, as he has done all season. Despite this, Slot opted to substitute Ngumoha and keep the others on the pitch.

This didn't go down well at Anfield at all. Boos rang around the stadium when Ngumoha walked off the pitch, but they were not directed at him. It was Slot who bore the brunt of the fans' ire.

It was emblematic of a major disconnect between the supporters and the under-fire coach. While there are mitigating factors this season, there is no denying that some of Slot's decisions have done more harm than good.

He has shown very little to suggest that he is the right man to turn things around, yet club chiefs are expected to retain the Dutchman. This is bizarre at a time when Xabi Alonso is available and would seemingly jump at the chance to coach his former club.

Liverpool have been in decline for over a year now. This summer would be the ideal time to bring in a fresh impulse, and the fans would clearly welcome it.