During their 4-1 FA Cup third-round victory over Barnsley at Anfield, Liverpool starlet Ngumoha, who was making his first senior start of the season outside the League Cup, went down after 73 minutes.
He was replaced by Ryan Gravenberch, much to the dismay of the Anfield crowd who were disappointed to see one of the club’s rising talents injured.
Ngumoha had previously played 74 and 85 minutes in his two earlier Liverpool starts this campaign, and many believe he will be key to the club’s future.
As fans started to worry, Slot spoke after the game and confirmed that the youngster did not pick up a serious injury, but is instead not used to such intensity.
“That's cramp, I hope. I expect it to be cramp.
“(Ngumoha’s injury) is not so strange because he hasn't made that many minutes this season, and today he made 73. 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.”
There is no doubt that the 17-year-old is very talented but Slot is reluctant to throw him in at the deep end at the moment. Liverpool next face Burnley, a game where the teenager could get another chance off the bench if he recovers over the next few days.