Arne Slot says Rio Ngumoha had cramp after Liverpool starlet’s substitution is booed

Arne Slot said he understood the boos that greeted Liverpool’s draw with Chelsea and his decision to substitute Rio Ngumoha but remains “100% convinced” he can win back the Anfield crowd next season.

Anfield’s frustrations at an underwhelming season came to the surface as Liverpool were held 1-1 by a Chelsea team that had lost six Premier League matches in a row and conceded 11 goals in their three previous away games.

Ryan Gravenberch, who opened the scoring with his first league goal of 2026, claimed the criticism – some of which was aired during the first half – was unfair. “OK, we didn’t win, but I don’t really think we deserved this,” said Gravenberch of the fans’ reaction. “We need them. Hopefully they wouldn’t do it again in the next two games.”

Slot accepted the criticism after another disappointing result but was adamant he could regain the trust of Liverpool supporters with a new-look team next season. The head coach, asked whether he believed he can get the match-going fans back onside, replied: “Yes I do. Not this season, this season the fans will have their opinion and it will not change. But if we can have the summer that we are planning then I am 100% convinced we will be a different team next season. Different in terms of results and different in how things look. For me, it is really clear what we are lacking this season and we are trying [to fix it].”

Slot’s decision to replace Ngumoha with Alexander Isak, while Cody Gakpo had been anonymous, was met with a chorus of disapproval in the 67th minute. There were more boos on the final whistle.

Rio Ngumoha looks to take on Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. The 17-year-old provided the assist for Liverpool’s goal. Photograph: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images

The coach said of the 17-year-old: “Rio had cramps before then when he went to the floor. Then I had contact with him and he said that was enough, that’s why I took him off. It makes complete sense [the boos] if you take off a player who is playing well and had assisted. It wasn’t my intention to take him off but he is not at the level yet where he can play at 50/60% and make a difference. He wasn’t fit enough to sprint.