Arne Slot reveals Ngumohas muscle troubles amid heated Liverpool supporters outcry over his withdrawal

Ngumoha stood out as one of Liverpools most promising performers during a largely disappointing day on Merseyside, with supporters also jeering at the end as the Reds once more dropped points.

Ngumoha made way for Alexander Isak in the 67th minute, sparking a strong backlash from the crowd.

"Many were unhappy with that decision, and thats entirely fair,” Slot explained to TNT Sports. "He was dealing with muscle discomfort, and when I checked with him, he wasnt certain he could keep going.

"I anticipated that response since he is an excellent talent. In football, its common for not everyone to grasp the full picture. As the coach, I must take charge and decide. Understanding the reasoning helps it click for others."

Liverpool had chances to lead 2-0 early on, but Chelsea gained momentum, and the hosts gave away a goal from a dead ball for the 18th occasion this term, trailing only Bournemouth at 19.

"We began strongly and nearly doubled our lead from a free kick," Slot noted. "Regrettably, similar to the previous match at Manchester United, we let in a goal from a set piece. It was a careless mistake.

"The second period showed a totally different energy from them. We came near to scoring several times. As has happened repeatedly this season, we struck the woodwork. We struggled to manage their squad. They fielded plenty of midfield options today."

Further jeers echoed at the whistle as Liverpool couldnt secure victory.

"That likely stems from our failure to triumph. Its perfectly reasonable, fans feel let down when Liverpool doesnt come out on top," Slot added.