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Arne Slot and Richard Hughes ‘Had Massive Clash’ Over Liverpool Ace
Liverpool boss Arne Slot, over the summer, was reportedly involved in a tense stand-off with Richard Hughes, the sporting director of the Reds, over the future of Rio Ngumoha.
After replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2024, Slot became the first Dutchman – and just the fifth manager in their maiden season – to win the Premier League title, but things have started a bit differently in 2025/26. They sit fourth after 20 matches.
That’s even after a summer of over-the-top spending, which included bringing in Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz from Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Arne Slot became the manager with the most wins in his first 50 matches (36) in the history of Liverpool Football Club in April 2025, surpassing legends like Kenny Dalglish and Joe Fagan.
Regressing from being the primary title challengers to being in the race for top four credentials was not on the agenda of anyone associated with the Anfield-based outfit, and it could be attributed to a significant falling out behind the scenes between Slot and the higher-ups.
Slot and Hughes in ‘Civil War’ Over Ngumoha Disagreement

The issues at Anfield, though, run far deeper than what fans are seeing on the pitch as ex-Feyenoord chief Slot, who is widely regarded as one of the best managers in world football, reportedly ‘ignited a civil war’ over Liverpool’s transfer policy.
Anfield Watch have confirmed in a report that Slot was keen to bolster his options on the left flank after Luis Diaz left for Bayern Munich. In what has been described as a ‘heated clash’, Hughes refused to give into the Dutchman’s demands.
Instead, Hughes informed the Liverpool boss that 17-year-old Ngumoha deserved a chance to play following a promising pre-season campaign, which saw him notch five goal contributions in the same number of matches.
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As a result, the sporting director wanted Ngumoha – and Trey Nyoni, who also impressed in their pre-season – to be given more of a chance to impress at a senior level.
Under the guidance of Klopp, young and up-and-coming hotshots would have benefitted from a decent pre-season, but that is not the same under Slot, who is clearly not of the same mindset given that he wanted to loan Ngumoha out after Diaz departed.
Instead of keeping the teenage sensation in his squad, Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain was mooted as the perfect Diaz replacement – and Slot wanted to offload Ngumoha on loan to boost their pursuit of the tricky Frenchman.

Anfield Watch has reported there has been a ‘source of contention’ between Liverpool’s boardroom bosses and Slot ever since.
The powers that be on the red half of Merseyside have made it clear they expect a clear pathway for academy players into senior proceedings, but Slot is adamant he requires those who are able to make an immediate impact. He has little interest in working with the club’s academy stars nor to try and develop them.
Liverpool Staff Have Made ‘Numerous Attempts’ To Convince Slot to Integrate Youngsters

Anfield Watch’s report also understands the club have made in-roads behind the scenes in order to convince Slot to utilise the academy at his disposal. They’ve tried to coordinate U21 sessions to take place simultaneously with the first-team and, last month, the club organised an academy showcase designed for Slot and his first-team coaching staff.
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Despite it being primarily organised for his assessment, Slot did not personally attend the showcase, 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 a bit of 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.
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Hughes and Michael Edwards, FSG’s Chief Executive of Football, are of the belief that a Liverpool boss not only has to yield success but working closely with academy products is also a key factor behind what they would consider ‘success’. Whether the 47-year-old will continue in the dugout, though, does remain to be seen.
Featured
Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates vs. Portsmouth: Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, Cristhian Mosquera latest
Arsenal will begin their bid to win the FA Cup for the 15th time in their history when they travel to Fratton Park for Sunday’s meeting with Championship strugglers Portsmouth.
The Gunners missed the chance to further extend their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table in Thursday’s underwhelming goalless draw against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
While their five-game winning league run came to an end, Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the fact that his side are now unbeaten in seven competitive matches ahead of Sunday’s cup tie and Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with Portsmouth, who are languishing in 21st spot in the Championship standings.
Piero Hincapie
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Hincapie was forced off with what appeared to be a muscle problem in the 57th minute of Thursday’s draw with Liverpool. Arteta now faces a nervous wait to discover the full extent of the defender’s injury.
Kai Havertz
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Match fitness
Possible return date: January 11 (vs. Portsmouth)
Havertz has recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action for months. However, he has been left out of Arsenal’s last two matchday squads as he continues to build up his fitness. There is a possibility that the forward could make his first appearance since August in Sunday’s FA Cup clash.
Riccardo Calafiori
Status: Out
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Calafiori has sat out Arsenal’s last four matches with a muscle injury. The defender is making progress in his recovery, but he is not expected to be ready for the upcoming trip to the south coast.
Cristhian Mosquera
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: January 14 (vs. Chelsea)
Like Calafiori, Mosquera is closing in on a return to action after missing over a month of action due to an ankle injury. However, the former Valencia defender will not be available for selection this weekend.
Max Dowman
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
Max Dowman is likely to be out until February after sustaining an ankle problem while playing for Arsenal Under-21s in last month’s behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United.
ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST
Arsenal have no players suspended for the third-round tie.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal remain in the driving seat to clinch the Premier League title crown this season – and they could strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad to bolster their chances.
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Whether or not the right players are out there remains to be seen, but with Arteta enduring several injury blows already this season – particularly in defence – the manager will be keeping a close eye on potential targets.
The Gunners splashed the cash in the summer, bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera to the Emirates Stadium – so a loan deal might favour the club
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There could also be high-profile exits, both loans and permanent deals, with young midfield talent Ethan Nwaneri linked with an exit. Other youngsters could also make loan moves to get a taste of first-team football.
With that said, football.london takes a closer look at all the moves completed by Arsenal so far this January.
Read the latest information on injuries, suspensions and availability in the Liverpool men’s squad.
Injuries
Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike was unavailable for the clash with Fulham because of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). Arne Slot was asked whether he will be fit for the game at Arsenal on January 8.
Slot on January 7: “He has not trained with us until now and let’s see if he can today.
“I’ve said, I think, two or three days ago when we played Fulham that he is not going to be out for long but because games come so fast he is in between maybe training with the team or it would take him one or two days extra.”
Wataru Endo
The midfielder has been out of action with an ankle injury since appearing in the 3-3 draw at Leeds United on December 6.
Alexander Isak
Isak is facing a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture on December 22.
He sustained the issue while scoring against Tottenham Hotspur two days prior.
Slot on December 23: “It’s going to be a long injury. For a couple of months. That’s a big, big, big disappointment for him and as a result of that of course also for us.”
Slot did also confirm he is confident Isak will be able to play again during the 2025-26 season.
Giovanni Leoni
The defender is amid a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the end of his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
Slot on September 26: “He is not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL and it means he will be out for a year. Being so young and coming to a new country and playing so well in your first game… it’s very hard to take the positive side.
“There’s never a positive side – but you always try to look at a positive side and that is that he is still so young, so he has so many years still to go after he recovers from a terrible injury like that.”
Availability
Mohamed Salah
After featuring off the bench versus Brighton on December 13, the forward is now with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah scored in the group games against Zimbabwe and South Africa to help his country reach the last 16. They are next in action on January 5.
Suspensions
Conor Bradley
Bradley is one yellow card away from receiving a one-match suspension in the Champions League.
The Reds travel to Marseille on January 21 for matchday seven of the league phase and then host Qarabag a week later.
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