Liverpool Coach Slams Hugo Ekitike’s ‘Stupid’ Red Card

Liverpool are safely through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after a 2-1 win over Southampton, but manager Arne Slot was left fuming at Hugo Ekitike for what he called a “stupid” red card.

The Reds looked in control after Alexander Isak’s opener and Hugo Ekitike’s late strike sealed the victory. But instead of finishing the night as the hero, the French forward soured the occasion by whipping off his shirt in celebration. Already on a booking, the referee had little choice but to show him a second yellow card.

“I didn’t understand it,” Slot said in disbelief when speaking to ITV. “If I got an assist like that one from Federico Chiesa, I probably would have turned around and pointed at him like, ‘yeah, you have made this whole goal for me.’

“So I was a little surprised that is how he [Ekitike] celebrated. And even worse, he took his shirt off and got his second yellow. It’s always stupid to take your shirt off and take a yellow.”

The dismissal means Ekitike will now miss Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday, a match he would have been desperate to play with competition for places heating up.

After the game, the 22-year-old striker apologised to supporters on social media. He wrote: “I was so excited to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match. The emotion got the better of me. My apologies to all the Red family. Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my teammates for this victory!”

The apology may soften the blow with fans, but pundits were quick to criticise his actions. Former striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “For Ekitike to get a second yellow card for that [celebration] is just sheer stupidity. He’s been such an important player for Liverpool so far this season, what a start to his career. But that’s not great for Arne Slot if he’s sitting out the game at the weekend.”

Ekitike has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £69 million deal this summer. With three goals and an assist in five league appearances, he has carried much of the attacking load while Isak was eased into action.

Slot, though, made it clear the young striker has to learn quickly. “He probably forgot he got a yellow. He’s young and he will learn from it. I’d be very surprised if he does it again,” the Liverpool boss said.