Rio Ngumoha Injury Update

Rio Ngumoha Injury Update: Arne Slot Provides Updates on Liverpool Starlet After Barnsley Exit

Sportsdunia Desk

Published - Jan 13, 2026, 11:48 AM

3 min

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Summary

This Rio Ngumoha injury update suggests the move was a precaution to avoid any long-term muscular damage.
Providing Liverpool injury updates, Slot attributed the exit to cramp, noting the 17-year-old is still adapting to the high physical intensity of professional football.
With Salah at AFCON, Liverpool medical staff are prioritizing Ngumoha’s recovery. He remains a prime candidate for senior squad inclusion once he regains full fitness.

Things are not looking great for the defending champions, Liverpool, as they're already missing out on several key players who are sidelined due to injuries. Now, even their young star Rio Ngumoha has picked up an injury against Barnsley during an FA Cup match. Liverpool's young attacking midfielder, Rio, was substituted in the 73rd minute during the 4-1 FA Cup win over Barnsley, sparking concerns with fans wondering about Rio Ngumoha injury update. The 17-year-old winger, signed from Chelsea last year, had impressed before exiting, fueling concerns about injury ahead of upcoming fixtures.

Rio Ngumoha started brightly with his explosive energy, consistently breaching Barnsley's defense via direct runs and silky technical dribbles that carved out key openings. A heavy challenge midway through the second half dropped him, clutching his leg, swiftly redirecting attention to his fitness.

Rio Ngumoha Injury Details

Liverpool's medical team rushed on for treatment, but the precautionary call came swiftly: Rio Ngumoha was subbed to avoid risking further damage. Limping down the tunnel, it pointed to a possible muscular problem or a heavy knock. Initial word from the dugout frames the Rio Ngumoha injury as low-key.

Reports suggest a minor hamstring strain or soft tissue bruise. Liverpool confirms scans early this week will pinpoint the issue and chart Rio Ngumoha's path back to full training. Fans await clarity on his availability.

Arne Slot on Rio Ngumoha Injury

After the whistle, Liverpool boss Arne Slot provided reassurance on the Rio Ngumoha injury update. Speaking candidly, he dissected the moment with the youngster, leaning toward cramps as the cause. The Reds gaffer, Arne Slot, explained.

“So the message to Rio Ngumoha is, I expect a Premier League game to be more intense than that. It’s very nice for him to play 70 minutes, of course, but it’s still very hard work to be ready for 90 minutes in the Premier League. But that’s just normal for 17-year-olds. That’s normal; no mistake about that.”

Rio Ngumoha featured six times in the Premier League this season under Slot, building minutes carefully. Short-term boosts arrive with Alexander Isak sidelined, and Mohamed Salah's Africa Cup of Nations run extending to the semis. The latest Liverpool injury updates position Rio Ngumoha for squad inclusion soon.