Arne Slot reveals Rio Ngumoha injury fear to explain Liverpool treatment to impatient fans

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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was asked about Rio Ngumoha's chances of starting more games in the coming weeks ahead of this weekend's visit of Tottenham to Anfield

Seventeen-year-old Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Arne Slot has repeated his message about being careful with the fitness of Liverpool talent Rio Ngumoha — though he says the teenager is in contention for another start this week.

All of Ngumoha's senior starts so far have come in the domestic cups but a Premier League or Champions League starting chance could be just around the corner, which is something many fans have been calling for in recent weeks.

Ngumoha did well against Wolves in the FA Cup recently and has appeared off the bench at times, but the Reds have been keen not to place too much strain on the 17-year-old's body as a means of avoiding issues faced by other young stars in recent years.

"This season, we have treated him carefully," Slot reiterated. "He cannot be on the pitch too many days in a row because of stress fractures that players of his age sometimes have, and have had at this club. Jayden Danns is an example of that.

"He could start for us. I said a month ago he would get more playing time and we have seen that with more minutes. He is definitely an option to start in one of the upcoming three games.

"For the fifth time this season, we play three games in seven days, with an early kick-off on Sunday against Brighton. We have been very lucky with that schedule this season!

Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha shakes hands with head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

"You need more than 11 players, and of course, the midweek game could be longer than 90 minutes. Every player who is fit has the chance to play in those games."

Slot also offered an injury update on his squad, with the Liverpool boss hopeful that goalkeeper Alisson Becker will be fit enough to return. Giorgi Mamardashvili deputized well against Galatasaray.

"[Alisson] felt something in one of his muscles when he passed the ball," Slot said. "But, after we checked it, it was minor, so it didn't take long.

"The games [come] so fast he had to miss Galatasaray, but hopefully he is ready to play Sunday. If not, then definitely Galatasaray on Wednesday."

Alexander Isak is not ready to return to team training yet, while Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni are all long-term absentees and are not expected to play again this season.

On Federico Chiesa, Slot added: "I expect he feels better now as he felt unwell the day before the game. We are now three or four days further ahead. He should be able to train today."

Liverpool.com says: Of the next three games, a home clash with Spurs seems most logical for Ngumoha to start if he is to come into the XI for one of them. On paper, that should be the most straightforward.