Rio Nguhoma injury update as Liverpool starlet forced off vs Barnsley

The 17-year-old Liverpool starlet suffered cramps and was substituted after 73 minutes in the 4-1 FA Cup victory over Barnsley at Anfield

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has reassured fans that Rio Ngumoha’s injury during their 4-1 FA Cup third-round victory over Barnsley at Anfield was merely cramp. The 17-year-old, who was making his first senior start of the season outside the League Cup, went down after 73 minutes and was substituted by Ryan Gravenberch.

The teenager appeared to lose his footing on the artificial turf at the pitch’s edge while pursuing a loose ball towards the byline and required medical attention before being withdrawn. Ngumoha had previously played 74 and 85 minutes in his two earlier Liverpool starts this campaign.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Slot said: “That’s cramp, I hope. I expect it to be cramp,” and “[Ngumoha’s injury] is not so strange because he hasn’t made that many minutes this season, and today he made [73].”

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He added: “That’s good for him, I think. Without wanting to disrespect [Barnsley], the intensity levels in the Premier League are even higher, so that is a nice taste for Rio to keep working really, really, really hard to be able to play 90 at this level.”

The Reds are currently grappling with several injuries, with the club confirming Conor Bradley’s season has been ended by a knee injury sustained against Arsenal, reports the Liverpool Echo. Giovanni Leoni has also been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL injury on his Liverpool debut in September.

Alexander Isak and Wataru Endo continue to be out of action, while Mohamed Salah is currently representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt are set to face Senegal in the semi-finals for a spot in the final.

However, Hugo Ekitike made a comeback from injury during the match against Barnsley, replacing Federico Chiesa after 60 minutes on the pitch. The forward had been absent for the draws against Fulham and Arsenal, but celebrated his return by netting Liverpool’s fourth goal of the evening against Barnsley.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz were the other players who found the back of the net. The Reds will now go head-to-head with Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round, in another home tie next month.

But for now, their focus shifts back to the Premier League, as they prepare to host Burnley at Anfield. Slot’s men are currently fourth and sit two points above Brentford.

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