Arne Slot says he substituted Rio Ngumoha due to cramp, understands Liverpool fans' frustration

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsMan City vs. BrentfordCould Mourinho Rekindle Past Glories at Real?How Big Is Arsenal's Advantage?Raya's 5 Best SavesWest Ham's Defensive HopesArne Slot says he substituted Rio Ngumoha due to cramp, understands Liverpool fans’ frustrationNgumoha's sub sparked a furious reaction from Liverpool fans. Carl Recine via Getty Images Share articleArne Slot says Rio Ngumoha had to be substituted due to cramp during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield. The decision to take off the 17-year-old winger midway through the second half sparked a furious reaction from the home supporters. Ngumoha, who was replaced by Alexander Isak, had provided one of the few positives for Liverpool with his pace and trickery down the left flank as he provided the assist for Ryan Gravenberch to open the scoring early on. “Rio had cramp just before that when he went to the floor,” Slot told reporters post-match. “I then had contact with him and he said was that it was enough so that’s why I took him off. “It makes complete sense that if you take a player off who is playing well and has assisted (a goal) that people don’t expect you to take him off. It wasn’t my intention to do so. “He is a good player but I don’t think he is at a level yet to play at 50 or 60 per cent and make the difference. Maybe the fans have a different opinion and think he would have been able to play at this level at 50 or 60 per cent, but not being fit enough to sprint. “If you didn’t know that then you would think: ‘Why is he taking him off?’ I understand the reaction. I knew the moment his number went up that would be the reaction but that is not the reason not to do it and keep a player in the team who tells me he cannot continue.” More boos followed after the final whistle with Slot’s side serving up another insipid home performance. Enzo Fernandez equalised and despite both Dominik Szob0szlai and Virgil van Dijk hitting the woodwork in the second half, Liverpool couldn’t find a winner. Asked about the anger in the stands, Slot said: “I think it also makes sense because this club should not be happy with a 1-1 result against Chelsea. “We always aim for a win and if we don’t win, we are disappointed, especially in a season when we have not won as much as people expect. It is a build up of frustration and that came out, but the players and myself have the same frustration.” It’s been a bleak season for Liverpool, who still have some work to do to guarantee Champions League qualification, but Slot is adamant he can win back over disillusioned fans. “Yeah, I do (believe I can),” he said. “Not this season, by the way. This season they will have their opinion and it will not change but if we can have the summer that we are planning to have I am 100 per cent convinced we will be a different team next season than we are now. “Different in terms of results, different in how things look. It’s not always that simple because sometimes you know what you have to do but it’s not always possible to get exactly what you want.  For us, for me, it is really clear what we are lacking this season and we are trying. One of the things that we are lacking is players that are fit. “The players that we have available now, like last week, showed in the second half they want to give everything and try to push, but it was not enough last week or this week to find that goal which we maybe deserved if you look at where the game was played. “For me, the game was mainly played in the second half in their half and that is what we’ve seen a lot of times this season. We’ve also seen a lot of times this season that being the dominant team does not lead to chance after chance after chance.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms