Arne Slot explains decision to take off Rio Ngumoha after fans booed the Liverpool boss in Chelsea stalemate - ‘People don't know everything’

React to this story

Arne Slot has said the unpopular decision to withdraw Rio Ngumoha midway through the second half of Liverpool's draw with Chelsea was made because the teenager believed he was physically unable to continue.

Highlights: Chelsea hold Liverpool at tense Anfield to end losing streak

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ngumoha had impressed during his time on the pitch during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Anfield, and the decision to substitute the youngster prompted an audible backlash from sections of the Liverpool fanbase, many of whom voiced their frustration at Slot's call as the contest unfolded.

Liverpool supporters turned on their Premier League title-winning head coach, whose decision to withdraw teenage winger Ngumoha in the 67th minute did little to appease those questioning his position in charge.

The contest was finely poised when Slot opted to replace Ngumoha with Alexander Isak, prompting loud boos from sections of the home support.

Premier League

Maresca promises to 'maintain' Guardiola's style of football at Man City

29/06/2026 at 19:13

Ryan Gravenberch had fired Liverpool ahead early on before Enzo Fernandez restored parity with a free-kick just before half-time.

In a bid to wrestle back momentum, Slot reshuffled his attack midway through the second period.

Rather than making a like-for-like change elsewhere, however, the Dutchman moved Cody Gakpo to the left flank while Isak assumed the central striking role - a decision that drew a rare audible backlash from the Anfield crowd.

Gravenberch ‘beauty’ gives Liverpool early lead over Chelsea

Video credit: TNT Sports

Speaking on co-commentary duty for TNT Sports, former striker Ally McCoist said: "You don't hear a reaction like that at Anfield often but I can understand it.

"I actually thought it would've just been a straight swap for Gakpo but I know he can play out on that left-hand side and come in off the left as well."

Speaking later, McCoist added: "The fans were certainly unhappy. The move robbed Liverpool of any width down the left-hand side. I know Milos Kerkez was trying to get forward but it starved them of width."

Darren Fletcher told TNT Sports: "You don't often see a reaction like that to a substitution at this ground. The crowd are really unhappy that Ngumoha is the player coming off. The majority inside Anfield have let Arne Slot know what they think about the decision that he's just made.

"That's one of the biggest takeaways from this match."

Despite Liverpool’s inconsistent campaign, Ngumoha has emerged as one of the club’s standout young performers, although Slot has been careful to manage the 17-year-old’s development rather than overexpose him.

Facing his former club, the England youth international again demonstrated his potential with an energetic and incisive display, setting up Gravenberch's opener after just six minutes.

'Not sure if I can continue'

Operating down the left flank, Ngumoha gave Malo Gusto a tough afternoon, underlining why many inside Anfield were reluctant to see him withdrawn at such a crucial stage of the match - despite his departure allowing British record signing Isak to enter the fray.

"There were a lot that didn't agree with that change, which I completely understand if you just look at how we played," Slot told TNT Sports at full-time when asked about the decision to take the teenager off.

"But it does make sense if you know that three minutes before [the change] he goes to the floor due to problems with his muscles and, then when I asked him, he said: 'Hmm, nope, not sure if I can continue.'

"The idea was not to take him off but, when he gave the signal that he wasn't completely ready to continue, then it makes complete sense. I knew this would have been the reaction, because he's such a popular figure.

"He played a good 65, 70 minutes, something like that. It's so often in football, people don't know everything, and that's how it works.

"It is what it is. I'm the manager, I need to make decisions. Sometimes people are happy with them, sometimes they are not, and today clearly they weren't. Maybe knowing why makes more sense for everyone."

Fernandez free-kick eludes everyone as Chelsea draw level at Anfield

Video credit: TNT Sports

The switch enabled Gakpo to move out wide but neither Chelsea nor Liverpool could find a winner on an afternoon that highlighted the deficiencies of both sides in the Premier League this season.

Curtis Jones and Cole Palmer both had goals disallowed while Virgil van Dijk struck the crossbar with a header from Dominik Szoboszlai's corner.

There were more boos at the final whistle from The Kop, raising further concerns about Slot's position heading into next season.

The result meant Liverpool remained in fourth place with two games to go, though they could drop to fifth if Aston Villa defeat Burnley on Sunday, while Chelsea stay in ninth on 49 points.

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch told TNT Sports: "There was certainly a frustration for Liverpool. It was a game of spells, they certainly started pretty well, but Chelsea dominated possession after the opening goal and Liverpool couldn't get a stranglehold of the game.

"They had chances, but ultimately they didn't have enough quality on show to finish it."

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

Premier League