Liverpool manager Arne Slot was reportedly involved in a tense conflict with the club’s sporting director Richard Hughes over the future of Rio Ngumoha.
After replacing Jürgen Klopp in the summer of 2024, Slot became the first Dutchman – and only the fifth manager in his debut season – to win the Premier League title, but things have started differently in 2025/26. They are in fourth place after 20 games.
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This is despite a summer of heavy overspending, which included the signings of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz from Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.
Key statistics: In April 2025, Arne Slot became the manager with the most wins in his first 50 games (36) in Liverpool Football Club history, surpassing legends such as Kenny Dalglish and Joe Fagan.
Going from being the main contender for the title to fighting for a top-four finish was not on the agenda of anyone associated with the Anfield club, and it can be attributed to a significant behind-the-scenes breakdown between Slot and senior management.
Slot and Hughes in “civil war” over disagreement over Ngumoha
However, the problems at Anfield go much deeper than what fans see on the pitch, as former Feyenoord boss Slot, who is widely recognised as one of the world’s best managers, reportedly “ignited a civil war” over Liverpool’s transfer policy.
Anfield Watch has confirmed in a report that Slot was keen to strengthen his options on the left wing after Luis Díaz left for Bayern Munich. In what has been described as a “fierce clash”, Hughes refused to give in to the Dutchman’s demands.
Instead, Hughes informed the Liverpool boss that the 17-year-old Ngumoha deserved a chance to play after a promising pre-season stint, in which he recorded five goals in as many games.
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Rio Ngumoha has only signed a three-year contract at Liverpool – here’s why
The teenage sensation has signed a new deal – but only for three years.
As a result, the sporting director wanted Ngumoha – and Trey Nyoni, who also impressed in pre-season – to have a greater opportunity to impress at the senior level.
Under Klopp’s guidance, young and promising talents would have benefited from a good pre-season, but it’s not the same under Slot, who clearly doesn’t have the same mindset, as he wanted to loan out Ngumoha after Díaz left the club.
Instead of keeping the teenage sensation in his squad, Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain was suggested as the perfect replacement for Díaz – and Slot wanted to loan out Ngumoha to bolster his pursuit of the difficult Frenchman.
Anfield Watch has reported that there has been a “source of conflict” between Liverpool’s board members and Slot since then.
The power figures on the red section of Merseyside have made it clear that they expect a clear path for academy players into senior football, but Slot is adamant that he needs players who can make an immediate impact. He has little interest in working with the club’s academy stars or trying to develop them.
Liverpool staff have made “several attempts” to persuade Slot to integrate young players
The report from Anfield Watch also understands that the club has made progress behind the scenes to convince Slot to take advantage of the academy he has at his disposal. They have tried to coordinate U21 sessions to take place at the same time as the first game, and last month the club organised an academy showcase designed for Slot and his first-team coaching staff.
Despite being organised primarily for his assessment, Slot did not personally attend the show, but there were some first-team coaches present.
Elsewhere, Luiz Fernando Iubel was hired as an individual coach in the summer, and the Brazilian’s arrival is an attempt to compensate for Slot’s reluctance to work with younger players. Iubel’s role at the moment is focused on working with young players.
