Robbie Fowler left baffled by Arne Slot decision — 'You've got to play him'
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However, Richarlison leveled things up late on with a goal scored past his Brazilian teammate Alisson Becker at the Kop End having come close to netting several times throughout the contest."It’s like teams when you go into cups and they play a weakened team," Fowler said on Premier League Productions' coverage of the 1-1 draw.READ MORE: Dominik Szoboszlai sends message to Liverpool fans after Anfield exits - 'Everyone is noticing'READ MORE: Jamie Carragher names Liverpool player who is now 'real problem' for Arne Slot"You have got to get the wins and confidence going. You’ve always got to play your strongest team."I get that you’ve got to look after the players because you’ve got big games, but the big game is the next one."I don’t know whether Ekitike is complaining of tiredness or a bit vulnerable in terms of he can’t play that many games per week, but for me, you’ve got to play him."Liverpool forwards Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah.(Image: Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)Arne Slot explained the decision to take Ekitike out of the starting XI before kick-off, revealing that he had missed training in the build-up to the clash.Liverpool has two more huge games this week, looking to overcome a 1-0 deficit in the Champions League against Galatasaray on Wednesday before Saturday's early kick-off against Brighton."Why now [to bring Rio Ngumoha into the team]?
Because he started training with us this season, and he’s improving, improving, improving,” Slot explained to Sky Sports."His game time has gone up, up, up, and then usually the next step is starting, and that’s today.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world."First of all, because he did so well against Wolves, first of all because he’s developing well.
Second of all, Hugo Ekitike trained for the first time with us yesterday, but missed out the day before."But mainly because Rio has shown that he’s ready for it now. He has to show it today, maybe, but if you look at what he did till now, I think the next step is starting, and that’s what he does today."Liverpool.com says: Ekitike would have ideally started, but he didn't do a great deal when he came on.