Amara Nallo suffered a cruel night in Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace, with Arne Slot revealing that two players consoled him in the dressing room.
The Reds bowed out of the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday evening, with a young and much-altered team struggling against a good Eagles side.
Substitute Nallo was shown a straight red card, becoming the first Liverpool player ever to be sent off in consecutive appearances, having been shown his marching orders at PSV Eindhoven back in January.
Speaking in his press conference after the game, Slot revealed that Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk were quick to talk to the young defender straight after his dismissal at Anfield.
“I didn’t need to say that much,” Slot said.
“Because another thing which I liked – it’s not the most important thing – but Ibou [Konate] and Virgil [van Dijk] immediately went inside to talk to him.
“So that tells me that they are great human beings in a moment like this when a young player for the second time is being sent off – maybe the first time after he played against PSV [Eindhoven], I’m not 100 per cent sure, but I think he did – that they feel how difficult that moment for him is, to go inside and be supportive for him.
“So it wasn’t needed that I took care of him. These two already took care of him.”
While Konate and Van Dijk were brilliant in consoling Nallo, who will no doubt be feeling down after breaking an unwanted record, it seems odd that Slot suggested there was no need to provide further support.
Slot coy on support for Nallo
As head coach, he would surely feel the need to show a confidence-shot player some backing, even if experienced players are doing their bit for the cause.
Slot is typically straightforward in nature, speaking the truth and not always being the most natural man manager like Jurgen Klopp, but Nallo would likely have wanted more support from his boss.
But that’s not to go overboard on the criticism of Liverpool’s head coach, who is clearly under pressure after yet another defeat.
Hopefully, 18-year-old Nallo recovers from a tough night, allowing his confidence to remain intact and continuing to shine at the academy.
Fan Comments