John Aldridge disagrees with Arne Slot after Rio Ngumoha decision made

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Rio Ngumoha stole the show as he inspired Liverpool to victory against Fulham, although Reds hero John Aldridge wasn't happy with one of Arne Slot's decisions on the teenager

Rio Ngumoha was substituted during the second half of Liverpool's win over Fulham(Image: Getty Images)

John Aldridge has taken issue with Arne Slot’s decision to substitute Rio Ngumoha during Liverpool’s win over Fulham, insisting the youngster should have played the entire game.

Ngumoha is earning yet more rave reviews after inspiring the Reds to a much-needed 2-0 win at Anfield on Saturday. The 17-year-old scored his second Premier League goal and played a big hand in Mohamed Salah getting on the scoresheet in a player of the match performance.

Slot is now facing increased calls for the teenager to start Tuesday’s second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, with Liverpool needing to overturn a 2-0 deficit in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Reds’ boss may well have had that in mind when he decided to bring Ngumoha off just short of the 70-minute mark, with the youngster earning a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd for his performance.

Former Liverpool striker Aldridge though wasn’t too happy with the decision, and felt Ngumoha should have seen the game out.

“Well we will take the 3 points and clean sheet and walk away,” Aldridge posted on X after the game.

“Not convincing at times in the 2nd half, Rio should have played the 94 mins, he’s young enough and certainly good enough! MOM.”

John Aldridge wasn't happy with Arne Slot's decision to substitute Rio Ngumoha against Fulham(Image: Getty Images)

Despite Aldridge not being happy with the decision, Slot has hinted that Ngumoha could be in line to start again against PSG on Tuesday, which may well have influenced his call to substitute him.

“I think he’s ready,” Slot said when asked whether Ngumoha is ready to start a game as big as Tuesday’s meeting with the European champions.

“Now the question, of course, is: can he do this two days later again? That’s another question. But would he be able to play and perform at that level? Yeah.

“I play him because I see him as one of the players we are having. It’s not like he’s less or in the beginning of the season he was a young player getting some experience with the first team. But now he’s just someone I can pick for any game. So, also the one on Tuesday.”

Liverpool.com says: In fairness to Slot, the decision to substitute Ngumoha made a lot of sense - especially if he’s planning on starting him again on Tuesday.

Even if he’s not, you do have to remember that Ngumoha is still only 17, and with just one Premier League start under his belt before Saturday. You don’t want to push such a promising player further than you need to, and even though Liverpool wasn’t as fluent as it had been earlier in the game, being 2-0 up at home should be the ideal time to rest him.