Arne Slot has played down Rio Ngumoha’s injury worries after the Liverpool wonderkid was withdrawn early against Barnsley.
The tricky 17-year-old winger Ngumoha made his third first-team start of the season as Liverpool beat the Tykes 4-1 at Anfield, but went down injured after 73 minutes and was replaced by Ryan Gravenberch.
He had appeared to slip on the astroturf at the edge of the Anfield pitch after chasing a loose ball to the byline, and received treatment before being substituted.
It was a disappointing end to an encouraging performance for the youngster, who was creative and direct on the ball.
But speaking at full-time, Slot insisted there was little to worry about, putting Ngumoha’s struggles down to cramp.
He told TNT Sports: “That's cramp, I hope. I expect it to be cramp.”
The Dutchman continued, adding that Ngumoha’s issue was a natural reaction as he gets used to the pace of first-team football.
The youngster had completed 74 and 85 minutes in both of his previous Liverpool starts this season.
Slot went on: “[Ngumoha’s injury] is not so strange because he hasn't made that many minutes this season, and today he made [73]. That's good for him, I think.
“Without wanting to disrespect [Barnsley], the intensity levels in the Premier League are even higher, so that is a nice taste for Rio to keep working really, really, really hard to be able to play 90 at this level."
