Arne Slot appeared to address Jamie Carragher’s assertion that a Liverpool player cannot win the Ballon d’Or.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future has been a hot topic in transfer rumors, with Real Madrid reportedly being his likely destination. The defender has yet to renew his Liverpool contract, despite expressing his ambition to win the Ballon d’Or.
Carragher has been outspoken about Alexander-Arnold’s situation and recently shared his opinion on the 26-year-old’s aspirations for the prestigious award. Speaking on Sky Sports, he remarked:
“You can try to win the Ballon d’Or, but my first thought when I read that was you’re not winning it as a right-back for Liverpool. Ballon d’Or winners typically play for Real Madrid or Barcelona—those are the clubs where the best players go.”
Ahead of Liverpool’s FA Cup clash with Accrington Stanley, Slot was asked about Rio Ngumoha, a 16-year-old making his first Liverpool appearance following his transfer from Chelsea.
Speaking to ITV, Slot said of Ngumoha: “It’s always special when young players make their debuts. He’s still very young, and I hope he gets the opportunity to showcase his abilities.”
Ngumoha, tipped for a stellar career, has similarly expressed a desire to win the Ballon d’Or. When pressed about this ambition, Slot responded: “He’s at a club where players can win the Ballon d’Or,” hinting at a disagreement with Carragher’s view.
Meanwhile, Ngumoha made history as the youngest player ever to represent Liverpool in the FA Cup. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “The love for football started when I was four or five.”
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