Liverpool star hits out at fans for booing Arne Slot decision against Chelsea

A Liverpool player has seemingly hit back at supporters after a section of the Anfield faithful could be heard booing Arne Slot’s decision to take Rio Ngumoha off for Alexander Isak against Chelsea.

On Saturday (May 9), the Anfield faithful were once again underwhelmed by their side’s performance.

The Reds took the lead thanks to Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range strike in the sixth minute, before Ngumoha caused the away side problems during the first 45 minutes.

However, Chelsea skipper Enzo Fernandez’s free-kick drew his side level in the 35th minute to make it 1-1.

Despite both sides having opportunities to win it in the second half, the points were shared, with Liverpool retaining fourth spot ahead of the rest of the weekend’s fixtures, while Chelsea sit ninth with next week’s FA Cup final to come.

In the 67th minute, the impressive Ngumoha was withdrawn, with Isak replacing him – a decision greeted with a chorus of boos from supporters as the teenager left the field.

TNT Sports’ commentary team, Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist, were shocked by the reaction to the substitution.

Fletcher said: “You never hear that at this ground.”

As expected, shortly after the match, Slot addressed the crowd’s reaction to his decision when speaking to TNT Sports.

The Dutchman said: “I don’t think it was just some of them – there were a lot who didn’t agree with the change, which is completely understandable.

“He was having problems with his muscles and when I asked him, he said he was not sure he could continue. I knew this would be the reaction because he is such a good player. So often in football, people don’t know everything. I am the manager and I need to make decisions.

“Knowing why makes it more sense for people.”

Goalscorer Gravenberch also addressed the crowd’s reaction, with the midfielder offering a strong response, claiming that he hopes “they wouldn’t do it again in the next two games”.

The 23-year-old said: “To be honest, we need them behind us. OK, we didn’t win, but I don’t really think we deserved this [reaction]. The fans have to be behind us for the full 90 minutes because when they were behind us in the second half, we were pressing really well. We need them.”

Liverpool return to action away at Aston Villa on May 15 before hosting Brentford in the season’s finale on May 24.