Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was sensationally sent off in the Carabao Cup clash against Southampton on Tuesday night after removing his shirt in celebration
Hugo Ekitike is set to serve a suspension for Liverpool after receiving a “stupid” red card in the Carabao Cup third round match against Southampton on Tuesday night.
Alexander Isak started the game and scored his first goal for the Premier League champions, but was replaced at half-time by Arne Slot, with Ekitike coming on in his place. Just eight minutes into his stint on the pitch, Ekitike was booked for dissent when referee Thomas Bramall awarded a free-kick against him. His frustration got the better of him and he punched the ball away in response to the decision, earning himself a yellow card.
At this point, Liverpool were 1-0 up thanks to the Isak goal just before the break, assisted by the lively Federico Chiesa. However, Southampton equalised after a defensive mix-up in the 76th minute through Shea Charles, only for the Reds to regain their lead within 10 minutes, with Chiesa setting up Ekitike for a close-range finish.
After scoring from just six yards out, the 23-year-old couldn’t contain his joy and promptly took off his shirt, holding it up to the Anfield crowd in celebration.
This turned out to be Ekitike’s last contribution to the match. Jeremie Frimpong was the first to approach Ekitike and his facial expression alone suggested that he knew what was about to happen, reports the Mirror.
Referee Bramall was also aware of the situation and swiftly brandished a second yellow card, dismissing Ekitike with just four minutes plus stoppage time remaining.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, the Reds clung onto their advantage and booked their spot in the fourth round.
Nevertheless, the consequences for Ekitike will carry over to Liverpool’s next fixture, an away encounter against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
Irrespective of whether it’s a league or cup tie, players must serve red card bans in the following domestic match.
As a result, Ekitike will be unavailable at Selhurst Park this weekend. The French international can, however, return for their Champions League encounter against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday and the trip to face Chelsea the subsequent weekend.]
A frustrated Reds manager Slot said after the match: “Needless? Yes. And it was stupid. The first one was already needless and to a certain extent, stupid, as you have got to control your emotions,” said Slot.
“I told him that if you score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner I can maybe understand. He is like, ‘This is all about me, what did I do’.
“But I am old-fashioned, I’m 47 and old. I never played at this level but did score a few goals and if I scored a goal like this, I’d have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and said, ‘This goal is all about you, this is not about me’.
“It’s always the best to control your emotions. If you can’t, do it in a way that doesn’t lead to a yellow card.”
#games #Hugo #Ekitike #Liverpool #strikers #suspension #stupid #red #card
