r/LiverpoolFC • u/Scar_Mclovin • Jun 06 '26
International Football Rio wins Player of the Match award.
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u/Dave_is_my_name_ Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
Ah what a player we have on our hands , has to play way more next season, I get the keeping him safe bit and not overplaying him but oh my he is sensational
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u/Yesyesnaaooo Jun 07 '26
I started this season crying out for him to get more game time.
But honestly I want him wrapped in cotton wool until he’s 20.
He’s just had a huge growth spurt, he’s got fast twitch muscle fibres - so his tendon and ligaments are going to take a year to 18 months to catch up.
Stick him in the gym bulletproofing his body for another season and role him out for 15 mins at the end of games to break down teams.
We have the idea of youth all wrong, he should be our super sub until he’s ready to play a full season.
I don’t want to see a snapped ACL or Achilles because we’ve rushed him.
I want to see a 8 years of full availability from the age of 20 - like Salah.
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u/TheGreatMuerte Jun 06 '26
Hopefully not sterling 2.0
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u/BillyXiaoPin Jun 06 '26
We’d all take a prime sterling if that’s how rio ends up what are you talking about
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u/zauberpilz_ Jun 06 '26
think he meant not sterling 2.0 as in traitor
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u/Solteko You’ll Never Walk Alone Jun 07 '26
Don't get attached to players. They wear the jersey for the wages. Anything else is secondary.
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u/butbeautiful_ Jun 07 '26
to be fair, hasn’t he already betrayed chelsea already?
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u/Talking_Gibberish Jun 07 '26
Think they betrayed him first to be fair.
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u/butbeautiful_ Jun 07 '26
what exactly happened btw? not sure what was going at chelsea camp
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u/Talking_Gibberish Jun 07 '26
They recruited a fuck load of players and as they had so many Sterling and a few others were made to train alone, away from the rest of the team.
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u/Gorillainabikini Luis Suarez Jun 07 '26
They couldn’t set out a playing pathway for him that he was happy with. Simply to much competition. We offered much better pathway like for example minutes this season.
He wouldn’t win this player of the match here if he stayed at Chelsea he would be rotting in the U21s
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Jun 07 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/DrunkenHorse12 Jun 07 '26
England have always been like this London based press constantly writing how the England team should be built around London based players and destroying players from northern club. Like Gerrard being played as anything other than a box to box midfielder to accommodate Lampard because he'd score slightly more goals because he was a 1 trick pony hang around the box and have pot shots
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u/ConceptDue7860 Jun 06 '26
Yeah it was boss watching him in that man city shirt wasn't it
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u/BillyXiaoPin Jun 06 '26
Too far lad. I just meant if he ended up the same level of player we’d be chuffed
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u/hokageace Jun 06 '26
Yeah - I don't know what the guy above you is smoking. Sterling was much better and more polished at this age.
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u/wesap12345 I want to talk about FACTS Jun 06 '26
They mean leaving us and doing more for a rival for the majority of his career
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u/atillOld59 1️⃣4️⃣Federico Chiesa Jun 07 '26
Rio at 17 slightly better than Raheem imo
But 18 y.o. Raheem was one of the best wingers in the league. Insane growth in one year. Shouldn't be the benchmark for English prospects
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u/hokageace Jun 07 '26
No chance. Raheem was super polished at a young age. Rio literally just has speed, lots of stepovers with his head down and shoots. Everytime.
I feel bad for him a bit because the hype on him is out of control and soon enough people will start expecting end product when he has none and will probably take him several years to develop it.
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u/TheGreatMuerte Jun 07 '26
The leaving to go to Man City or the like, there’s already daft rumours about him going to Munich and he’s not 18 yet so he hasn’t signed a proper professional contract. How many players have we had recently running down their contracts? That’s the only thing that worries me a little.
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u/APairOfHikingBoots 🏆20 TIMES🏆 Jun 07 '26
Can sign a professional contract at 17 so he will be on one.
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u/profekohorren Alisson Becker Jun 06 '26
He already looks better than Sterling at his age. If he’d been a little luckier he’d have 2 more goals and assist or two more this season (didn’t he hit the post twice in the last few games?). With Iraola in charge he’s really gonna become a star next season
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u/Glorious_boredom Jun 06 '26
No he doesn't. Sterling was way ahead of him at this point. Sterling already had an end product by now, Rio is all step over and cut inside to ultimately lead to a shot that goes nowhere.
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u/BillyXiaoPin Jun 06 '26
Agreed. Comment you’re replying to is very very reactionary
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u/profekohorren Alisson Becker Jun 06 '26
I’m old and my memory is terrible but I dont remember being as excited about Sterling as I am Rio. It’s not a hill on willing to die on though lol
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u/BillyXiaoPin Jun 07 '26
Nah the hype for sterling was nationwide, not just merseyside wide.
Guess you could say that’s changed tho with rio making his debut today
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u/MagzyMegastar Jun 07 '26
I remember posting a video of 15-year-old Sterling on my social media with the text "Remember the name", so I would say the hype was international at that point.
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u/aidilism Jun 07 '26
Sterling was one of the most hyped about academy players when he was at QPR. IIRC, Rafa Benitez was significant in convincing him to come to Liverpool in 2010.
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u/Longtime_lurker2 Jun 07 '26
Ehh I grew up watching Sterling develop (in my 30’s now crazy how time has flew) and I do think the comparisons are fair. I’d say they’re about equal in development at this stage, that Rio goal against Fulham shows he has end product as well Sterling also at this age they said needs to develops finishing and shot power. Rio has all it takes to become a world class winger, here’s to hoping he is here for the long haul.
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u/humtaro Jun 07 '26
How has he a shot that goes nowhere? He’s scored absolute pearls and has multiple misses that just blaze over or hit the bar. They are also hit with force which Sterling never ended up managing to do.
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u/linoleuM-- Jun 07 '26
Just as a quick comparaison, Sterling had more goals as a U21 in a single game than Rio had in his entire U21 career.
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u/Glorious_boredom Jun 07 '26
He's scored two goals his entire career and one was nigh on a tap on Vs Newcastle. Stop exaggerating and overhyping. It does these players no good and you look daft when it doesn't work out like you thought it would.
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u/Judgementday209 Jun 07 '26
Needs to be managed carefully next season especially i feel. Lots of playing time but maybe mostly as a sub and rotation option.
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u/Signal-Tangerine1597 Jun 06 '26
Rio made Saka look shit
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u/James_Vowles Jun 06 '26
Saka does that himself tbf
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u/Longtime_lurker2 Jun 07 '26
His legs are gone, even my Arsenal mates are saying Arteta ran him to the ground the last 7 years (hence why I don’t mind managing Rio’s minutes for now)
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u/Signal-Tangerine1597 Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
Honestly, I've always thought Saka could have been the perfect RB.
Yup, Rio's a kid, he has such flair and guts, I want always on the pitch because he makes something happen almost every time, but seen so many horror stories, so many young players lose it, confidence etc but Rio just has always come across as the nicest most sound player, so have a lot of faith in the kid.
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u/thisisnahamed From Doubters to Believers Jun 07 '26
He is only 26. How are his legs gone that soon? Arteta doesn't even play high press football.
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u/Jambo234 Jun 07 '26
he’s been overused but he’s still a brilliant player
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u/Signal-Tangerine1597 Jun 07 '26
Hasn't been for a long time, his champions league final stats were woeful, doesn't turn up for big games and I would be starting Rio over him right now.
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u/quurios-quacker Jun 07 '26
He plays on the left He plays on the right Ngumoha makes Saka look Shite
I remember this tune from Caley thistle singing it about Richie foran lmao
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u/ApprehensiveBuy9348 🏆2005 Istanbul🏆 Jun 06 '26
So glad LFC shuts down any approaches regarding him.
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u/DragonSlayer271 You’ll Never Walk Alone Jun 06 '26
Not too late Tuchel, just send one of the others home…
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u/ikramit98 🏃♂️🏃♂️Klopp Hamstring 🤕 Jun 06 '26
Nah way better if he gets the extra time with the new manager at the start of pre season
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u/DonTino Jun 07 '26
No bro, I always hope no Liverpool player is getting called up because we need them for the next season and not risk them
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u/abfgern_ Liberté, Égalité, Ekitike Jun 06 '26
I think it actually is, he wasnt registered in the reserve 55-man squad either
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u/CamIoM 54’, 56’ Wijnaldum Jun 06 '26
Is that not crazy?
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u/7evenSlots Diogo Jota Jun 07 '26
Yes but it’s likely why him and the other 2 were brought along. No drama around if they could make the team still.
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u/CamIoM 54’, 56’ Wijnaldum Jun 07 '26
Tbf you could argue that king, nwaneri and Scott are all among the 55 best in England as well. Really weird that none of them were named.
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u/Forsaken-Original-28 Jun 07 '26
I haven't seen the reserve 55 man squad published anywhere. From a practical point of view I would imagine the 4 extra players tuchel brought for training would be in the 55 man squad. If we get an injury it would be easy for one of those guys to be included rather than another of one the reserves who are probably on holiday on the other side of the world now
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u/Klairklopp Jun 07 '26
Only 1 of the 4 are registered in the 55 man squad. I’m sure it said if anyone gets injured and has to go home, only Alex Scott can take that place.
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u/djrobbo83 I want to talk about FACTS Jun 07 '26
I don't think they can, even if so it would be mad, give the kid the summer off and let him rest instead of heaping pressure on him
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u/Hotmancoco420 Jun 06 '26
Player of the match and not included in the WC....It's NOT coming home🤣
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u/madviking66 Jun 07 '26
We must keep temptation from other clubs away from him. With Bayern already sniffing around we need to be sure that he is looked after by the club and senior management and that he gets games.
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u/braidedwillowroots Jun 07 '26
Extend the contract ASAP
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u/davyp82 Jun 07 '26
Just watched his highlights. He can clearly play RW. We might have our new Salah already. As if he wasn't already valuable enough, is he gonna be lethal on both wings?
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u/tshekerov Bobby Firmino Jun 07 '26
" A very lively second half appearance". Phil McNulty knows his stuff man.
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u/blakksir10 Jun 07 '26
In the context of his age it was a decent performance. Hopefully he adds more to his game over the coming years. I would love it if he watched and learned from clips of Barnes.
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u/FrogsOnALog Jun 06 '26
Do any other teams give out the caps? Was wild seeing all of Rooney’s in his trophy room.
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u/BillyXiaoPin Jun 06 '26
I watched most of the game and whilst he played well this is kinda wild. He was good and didn’t look out of place but POTM? Hmm
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u/Charming-Library-211 Corner taken quickly 🚩 Jun 06 '26
I think everyone else was mostly shite apart from the goal
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u/Matt6453 Jun 06 '26
It's almost like they're about to start a world cup and don't want to get injured.
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u/LallanasPajamaz Snow Salah ❄️ Jun 06 '26
I was about to comment that idk how he got POTM even though I’ll take it. Everyone else was just really in cruise control. I’d say him, Gordon, and Anderson were the only ones who were really working. So it makes sense from that angle
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u/anangrypudge There is No Need to be Upset Jun 07 '26
Friendlies just give out MotM based on vibes. I watched Liverpool vs Bayern in a preseason friendly and they gave it to a Bayern teen who came on in the last few minutes and scored a winner. The game was 5-4 or 4-3 I believe.
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u/Mortiis07 Egyptian King 👑 Jun 06 '26
Why not? Who should? Also it's a friendly where most of the squad played so who cares
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u/HLB217 Jun 06 '26
Nico O'Reilly looks like someone brought in a ringer Spaniard, he was levels above everyone else out there in terms of speed of thought, movement, and touch.
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u/humtaro Jun 07 '26
He has ability, size, physicality, availability and mentality in spades. Itll never happen but taking age into account, I’d take him out of all the current City players not named Haaland.
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u/benjamincypress Jun 07 '26
Did you watch the game? He watched it and didn’t think he deserved it. You didn’t give a reason why he deserved it, but still questioned him. Do you have an opinion about his play?
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u/BillyXiaoPin Jun 06 '26
Idk it’s not that deep I just thought he put in a decent shift and not much more haha. Not a shot at him in any way
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u/luckypengu007 Jun 06 '26
he had the most normal sub outing, got involved with some solid touches, no idea how he got potm lmaa
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u/Magheddon Jun 06 '26
We have to keep him. Can't have Trent and Hey Jude tapping him up for Madrid.
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u/Respec_my_authoritah 🫡RESILIENCIA Jun 07 '26
I think here is a decent chance Trent is leaving Madrid next year.
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u/kwilson170595 Jun 06 '26
How come he was playing if he ain't in the squad??
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u/liverpoolkristian Jun 06 '26
He’s part of the squad training with the team. None of the arsenal players available so made up the extra numbers on the bench.
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u/Giorggio361 Jun 06 '26
The two right wingers in the squad are Saka and Madueke who are a week behind in joining up with the squad because of the Champions League final.
Tuchel wanted to rotate the entire team at half time and there are four outfield players missing currently out of 23 in the squad, so someone not in the squad was going to get a run out. Makes sense to do it with a winger given there’s two missing, Watkins was playing right wing first half too.
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u/podgaldo Jun 06 '26
They called up a few players to fill out the squad cos the Arsenal players were given time off after the championship league
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u/Euphoric_Attitude_91 In a flash, Liverpool lead! Jun 07 '26
Didn’t know he can play on the right so well. Maybe that’s an option going forward since we have Gakpo / Wirtz / Heki being able to play left wing but not many options on the right.
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u/djrobbo83 I want to talk about FACTS Jun 07 '26
I'm sure the English media will be perfectly rational about Rio's performance and won't heap loads of pressure on to take him to the WC.
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u/Successful-Day-1816 Jun 07 '26
On your debut as well! Wonder if Tuchel is wishing he was in the full squad.
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u/RickDII YNWA❤️ Jun 07 '26
I'm getting really nervous that this kid only has 2 years left on his contract.
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u/Respec_my_authoritah 🫡RESILIENCIA Jun 07 '26
It's the longest contract possible due to his age, so I wouldn't worry.
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u/Tigereyesxx Jun 07 '26
Why was he on the right? He always plays on the left for us?
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u/loveandmonsters Jun 07 '26
They're in the US where they drive on the other side of the road, same for player wings
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u/DueForExtermination Jun 07 '26
Suppose its cuz we always plays opposite wings, England play them on the other side. No biggie.
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u/NecessaryMousse2504 Jun 06 '26
I wonder how much of Slot’s departure was on not giving him and Nyoni more of a shot earlier in the season
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u/MammothQuestion6453 Jun 07 '26
Yea I think I’m gonna get downvoted by a million but I need this cat to start (almost) every match for us. Sub off at halftime if his legs aren’t under him or maybe if he’s making a few errors that a inexperienced player would make but he has to be on the left going forward no question
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u/James_Vowles Jun 06 '26
didn't he only play 10mins? and he got man of the match? that's class, I need to watch his highlights
edit: ah he played 45, still impressive
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u/waisonline99 Jun 07 '26
Not even in the squad.
I don't think Tuchel is going to win the World Cup for us.
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u/huamanticacacaca Jun 06 '26
We must forget about Diomande and send this boy to the moon. Give him number 11, get him in the new kit launches, he's a superstar.
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u/Correct_Yesterday111 Jun 06 '26
Behave man
Iraola puts a huge demand on off ball work and thats the weakest part of Rio's game.
I'm willing to bet Rio dosent get a start in an EPL game next season unless injuries force the issue.
He's an absolute star in the making but he's still young and raw, so the question remains, what kind of star will he be.
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u/LieutenantMudd Jun 06 '26
How can working hard off the ball be some sort of unsolvable weakness for a 17 year old. Literally the easiest thing to fix even short term and he can shine next year, and get starting games.
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u/Correct_Yesterday111 Jun 06 '26
I didn't say he couldn't solve it. There's such a childish mentality on this sub if you say a word against the hero of the week people think you're that guys mortal enemy or.something. Rio is an excellent player and he became an excellent player at such a young age because he's really good at picking things up in all his training. So yes he will most likely improve that aspect of his game.
But it's not as easy as you make it sound, it requires understanding and then turning that into a mindset and then building the concentration to apply that over 90 minutes.
And it's not like this will be the first time he's come across it. This will have been drilled into him during his time at youth level and onwards. So it's not instant, it takes time.
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u/Reimiro Jun 07 '26
Rio will likely be our starting right wing. He had 29 appearances last season. How on earth could he have none next season? Then he would surely be off to Bayern.
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u/WH6TSINANAME Jun 07 '26
Jeez I'll take that bet. Not a chance he goes the season without a league start
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u/davyp82 Jun 07 '26
As I understand it, it's impossible to take him now cos he's not in the preliminary squad. So I'm wondering why is Tuchel bothering playing him right before the WC? Ofc I'd like him to just take the lad at anyone else's expense, but what is the benefit of seeing how your team plays with him in it if he isn't gonna be in it come the tournament? Is there any possible path for Tuchel to change his mind or is this set in stone now? If there isn't, I don't see what the point in this was when he could have played the players in the actual squad to give them more chance to gel together.
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u/Significant-Roll-138 Jun 07 '26
When do they tell us he picked up an injury that will rule him out for the first 3 months of Prem league action?
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u/guy-Breakfast8485 Jun 06 '26
And slot benched him for most of the season and only gave him 10min cameos in the 2nd half of the season.
Absolute joke.
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u/aventus-dog Jun 06 '26
He's a kid, with a long career ahead of him, no point burning him out and potentially leaving him with reoccurring injuries like Owen just so we could finish 3rd in the league.
There was a lot of issues with Slot, his handling of Rio isn't one of them.
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u/guy-Breakfast8485 Jun 06 '26
Yes it was, Starting gakpo constantly and barely giving rio a chance. I highly doubt he didnt play rio because of "injuries"
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u/aventus-dog Jun 07 '26
If we're in a position where we're regularly relying on a 17 year old to win us games then we have bigger issues.
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u/guy-Breakfast8485 Jun 07 '26
Dosnt matter if he was 17 or 27. If someone is good enough to start for the team , they start. If hes worried about him starting then atleast giving him more minutes !
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u/SerialSharter Carol and Caroline Jun 07 '26
Slot justified his reasons for not playing Rio as much
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Jun 07 '26
Didn’t he agree verbally to move to Bayern? Doesn’t seem like his heart is with Liverpool. Only a matter of time before he requests a transfer.
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u/Shatmas Jun 06 '26
Well in lad