Arne Slot's comments on Liverpool youngsters dispel common theory

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been criticized at times this season for not using young players enough, with the FA Cup sometimes providing a chance to bring some in

Young Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha and head coach Arne Slot(Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Though it is not entirely true that you can never win anything with kids, Arne Slot has been reluctant at times this season to throw the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni into the action.

For some, it has been a stick used to beat the Liverpool boss, despite the logic making sense (and him calling up the likes of Kieran Morrison for first-team training of late, and even 15-year-old Josh Abe). In a struggling team, chucking in a 17-year-old to save the day would feel unfair.

The minutes that such young players play is also a factor. Slot explained a few weeks ago that Liverpool was being careful not to overplay the youngsters, with Jayden Danns suffering with injuries as a result of having trained and played too much.

"I am always looking at the younger players," Slot said in his pre-match press conference before taking on Brighton. "A few of them are closer and closer to first-team football.

"Rio and Trey have had that and games like this could be an option but it is about the right balance. We play a strong team and who to play is something to think about.

"Of course it gives us more questions [that it is Brighton]. If we had a different opponent, then I maybe make other choices."

Ngumoha started as Liverpool played Barnsley in the previous round of the FA Cup. But while he and Nyoni might have to settle for a place on the bench again with the Seagulls coming to Anfield.

Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha hasn't played too much this season(Image: Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)

They are in Slot's mind, though, and with limited other options, there is a strong chance that they get some minutes. Rotation will be needed to keep as many players as fresh as possible.

"It's not the first time we've had three games in seven days. It is part of being a top club," Slot said.

"It depends what draw you have too and we play a strong Brighton side. They don't deserve the position they are in; they play so much better than the table shows and they deserve more than they get, so it is another challenge.

"It took me a long time before I could fall asleep because I was constantly thinking of the same options. Which players, which other players, which positions, so I need another 24 hours.

"Where is this as a priority? We have three clear priorities: the FA Cup, Champions League qualification, and the Champions League.

"We are also aware of the limited options, so the load management is important. The last thing we need is another injury, so that is always the tough thing for a manager, to make the best decision every single time.

"It is also true that it wouldn't be the first time a player gets injured if they have to play three games in seven days. It also happened many times that players could play three games in seven days, so that is the challenge we are having.

"The most important thing is that we train today, we listen to the players, see how they feel, and make the best possible decision."