The 17-year-old Liverpool starlet suffered cramps during the 4-1 FA Cup win against Barnsley at Anfield and was substituted in the 73rd minute.
Rio Ngmoha was sent off in Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Barnsley on Monday (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Arne Slott has reassured fans that Rio Ngmoha’s injury was just a spasm during his side’s 4-1 FA Cup third-round win over Barnsley at Anfield. The 17-year-old, making his first senior start this season outside of the League Cup, collapsed in the 73rd minute and was replaced by Ryan Gravenbirch.
The teenager appeared to trip on the artificial turf at the edge of the pitch while chasing a loose ball towards the byline and required medical attention before being withdrawn. Ngmoha had played 74 and 85 minutes in Liverpool’s previous two games to start the season.
After the game, Slott told TNT Sports: “I think it was a spasm. I’m expecting it to be a spasm. “(Ngumoha’s injury) is not that strange because he hasn’t played that many minutes this season and he played (73 minutes) today.
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He added: “I think it’s good for him. (No disrespect to Barnsley) but the intensity level in the Premier League is even higher so it’s in good taste for Rio to keep working really, really, really hard to be able to play at this level and get 90 points.”
The Reds are currently suffering from a number of injuries, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that the club have confirmed that Conor Bradley has ended his season with a knee injury sustained against Arsenal. Giovanni Leoni also injured his anterior cruciate ligament on his Liverpool debut in September, which will keep him out for the rest of the season.
Alexander Isak and Wataru Endo remain sidelined, while Mohamed Salah is currently playing for Egypt at the African Cup of Nations. Egypt is scheduled to play Senegal in the semi-finals for a place in the final.
Rio Ngmoha receives treatment during Liverpool’s FA Cup match against Barnsley (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
However, Hugo Ekitike returned from injury and was on the pitch in the 60th minute, replacing Federico Chiesa against Barnsley. The forward missed the draws against Fulham and Arsenal, but celebrated his return by scoring Liverpool’s fourth goal of the night against Barnsley.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremy Frimpong and Florian Wirtz were other players who found the back of the net. The Reds will play Brighton & Hove Albion at home in the fourth round next month.
But for now, their focus is back on the Premier League as they prepare to host Burnley at Anfield. Slott’s team currently sit in fourth place, two points above Brentford.
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