Slot explains Ngumoha substitution as Liverpool boss responds to Anfield boos
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool interacts with Arne Slot (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool interacts with Arne Slot (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Arne Slot admits the jeers from Liverpool supporters made "complete sense" as he explained the reason to substitute Rio Ngumoha that sparked fury among the Anfield crowd.
The Reds were held to a dismal 1-1 Premier League draw at home to struggling Chelsea on Saturday afternoon that meant Champions League qualification has still to be assured with two games remaining.
Ngumoha had assisted the early opener for Ryan Gravenberch and was one of the few bright spots of a turgid attacking effort for Liverpool until he was replaced midway through the second half for Alexander Isak.
And while the decision prompted a chorus of boos from Reds fans, Slot explained the 17-year-old winger had been suffering a fitness problem and had suggested being replaced.
"He's not injured, he had cramps a few minutes before that when he went to the floor," said the Liverpool boss. "Then I had contact with him and he said that it was enough, so that's why I took him off.
"It makes complete sense if you take a player off that is playing well and has assisted that people don't expect you to take that player off. That wasn't my intention to do.
"He is a good player but I don't think he's at the level yet to play at 50-60% and then make the difference. Maybe fans have a different opinion that he would have been able to play at this level at 50% or whatever the percentage it is to not be fit enough to sprint and make your actions.
"If you don't know that (he was cramping up) then you feel like 'why is he taking him off?'. Then I understand the reaction.
"I knew when the moment his number went up that it would have been the reaction. (But) that's not a reason to keep a player in the team that tells me he cannot continue."
Of the jeers from supporters at the final whistle, Slot said: "After the game it also makes sense because I don't feel 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 are disappointed, especially in a season where we haven't won a lot or not as much as people expect us to do.
"It's just building up frustration and that came out probably after half-time, but the players and myself had the same frustration as the fans."
Liverpool also saw Ibrahima Konate depart with 13 minutes remaining although Slot revealed the centre-back doesn't believe the issue to be serious ahead of Friday's trip to Aston Villa.
"We will have to wait and see given the way he limped off," said the Reds boss. "He told me it was cramp but let's hope he is right in his assessment.
"We have to wait and see tomorrow how he feels and how that will work out."
While goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili returned after missing the last two games with a nasty wound, Liverpool were missing Florian Wirtz due to a stomach infection while neither Alisson Becker nor Mohamed Salah had recovered from hamstring problems.
And Slot added: "Mo is close to returning and Ali is close to returning. Flo we have to wait and see how he is recovering after what he has."
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