Arne Slot explains himself as Hugo Ekitike decision backfires against Tottenham

Arne Slot has explained the surprising omission of Hugo Ekitike in the starting XI against Tottenham, with the striker deemed only fit enough to start the game from the bench

Hugo Ekitike began the game against Spurs on the bench(Image: 2025 The FA)

Arne Slot has explained the reasoning behind Hugo Ekitike being dropped to the bench for the game against Tottenham.

The French striker returned to the side against Galatasaray midweek after a much-needed rest against Wolves. He initially held up play effectively up front but struggled to make an impact as the game progressed, failing to find space for clean shots and missing a clear one-on-one opportunity.

Nevertheless, fans were surprised to see Ekitike be named among the substitutes with Slot opting to start Cody Gakpo up front and handing a first Premier League start to Rio Ngumoha. Andy Robertson was also spotted giving Ngumoha a pep-talk ahead of kick-off.

Slot later offered any explanation on why Ngumoha was starting, revealing that Ekitike was unable to train on Friday.

“Why now? Because he started training with us this season, and he’s improving, improving, improving,” Slot explained to Sky Sports ahead of facing Tottenham. “His game time has gone up, up, up, and then usually the next step is starting, and that’s today.

“First of all, because he did so well against Wolves, first of all because he’s developing well. Second of all, Hugo Ekitike trained for the first time with us yesterday, but missed out the day before.

“But mainly because Rio has shown that he’s ready for it now. He has to show it today, maybe, but if you look at what he did till now, I think the next step is starting, and that’s what he does today.”

Rio Ngumoha was handed his first Premier League start against Spurs(Image: (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images))

It was Ngumoha’s inclusion that grabbed the attention of both supporters and pundits.

Slot has faced increasing calls to give the teenager more game time, following a series of impressive performances off the bench—calls that grew even louder after his standout impact against Nottingham Forest last month.

"He [Slot] has to start Ngumoha now," Steven Gerrard said on TNT Sports in the aftermath of the Reds' 2-1 defeat. "He’s doing more in a small space of time than Gakpo is doing in 60 minutes."

Ekitike replaced Ngumoha in the 64th minute of Sunday's game, with Liverpool leading 1-0 thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai's first-half free kick.

Slot's decision to start Ekitike and Mohamed Salah from the bench ultimately backfired, as Richarlison scored a last-minute equalizer to snatch a point at Anfield.

The result leaves Liverpool fifth in the Premier League table, two points behind Aston Villa in fourth.

Tottenham, meanwhile, is 16th, just a point above the relegation zone.