Arne Slot reacts after Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Yokohama F Marinos but opted against further hyping Rio Ngumoha

15:24, 30 Jul 2025Updated 15:26, 30 Jul 2025

Arne Slot of Liverpool FC looks on prior to the MEIJI YASUDA J.LEAGUE World Challenge 2025 presented by The Nippon Foundation match between Yokohama F•Marinos and Liverpool at Nissan Stadium on July 30, 2025 (Image: Kenta Harada/Getty Images)

Arne Slot opted against further hyping up Rio Ngumoha after the Liverpool teenager scored during an eye-catching cameo against Yokohama F Marinos on Wednesday night.

The Reds concluded their two-game tour of Asia with a 3-1 win over the J-League side in Japan and Ngumoha wrapped the result up late on, finishing past the goalkeeper after a mazy dribble.

There are high hopes for the 16-year-old inside Anfield but Slot was reluctant to put too much pressure or expectation on the teenager, preferring instead to spread the praise across several of his substitutes, who helped turn the game around after Asahi Uenaka’s opening goal.

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“He was not the only one that impacted the game from the bench,” Slot said. “Trey Nyoni scored, assist by Jeremie Frimpong, Curtis Jones played a big part in the first goal. But Rio again showed the quality he has.

“That is nice for us because we have a lot of very good players but to get some brand new players from the academy is helpful. It gives energy to the team. It is nice to see young players at 16, 17 or 18 impacting the game.

“But there was also a moment in the game where he should have squared it to Curtis. But if you are 16 and you can impact games like he did, that is definitely a compliment.”

Ngumoha could feature once more when the Reds return to action on Monday when they play two games against Spanish side Athletic Club.

Slot also explained the importance of Wataru Endo’s role at Liverpool, with the Japan captain the subject of a hero’s ovation all night in his hometown.

Slot, who gave the Japan skipper the armband after he replaced Virgil van Dijk, added: “He deserved that [reception] more than everyone else for the role he played last season in us winning the league.

“I know that everyone was talking about Salah, Diaz, Gakpo, Van Dijk, all these players that scored. But what no one ever saw was how well the players that did not play all the time accepted their role.

“Wata was the best example of that. No matter how much we needed him – one, two, ten, fifteen minutes. He was always there for the team. He totally deserved getting the armband today and getting the credit from the Japanese fans.”