Liverpool manager Arne Slot has consistently shown confidence in his former Feyenoord striker, Ayase Ueda, backing the Japanese international even when others questioned his potential. This insight comes from Dutch pundit Hans Kraay Junior, who spoke to Voetbal International, as reported by Voetbal Primeur.
Ueda has been in sensational form this season, scoring 19 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions for Feyenoord, including 18 goals in just 15 Eredivisie matches. These numbers already surpass the nine goals he managed in 31 games last season, highlighting his growth into one of Feyenoord’s most vital players.
The 27-year-old’s rise has been steady. Upon his arrival at Feyenoord in 2023 for a reported €8 million, he initially played a supporting role behind Santiago Gimenez. In his first season, Ueda managed only five goals in 37 appearances. The following season, he improved slightly, scoring nine goals in 31 games, gradually proving his worth.
Kraay Junior explained that Arne Slot’s belief in Ueda was unwavering. “Misjudged, misjudged; of course, he was behind Santiago Gimenez, who was often in top form and therefore also found the net quite often,” he said. “Whether others were wrong isn’t important, but credit where credit is due—Arne Slot consistently recognized Ueda’s potential and spoke about it several times when we asked.”
Ueda’s persistence and Slot’s faith have now been vindicated, with the striker establishing himself as a key figure and justifying the confidence shown in him by the Liverpool manager
