Hugo Ekitike scored the winning goal as Liverpool overcame Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, but his night ended early as he was sent off in farcical circumstances.
Liverpool beat the Saints 2-1 at Anfield in a game that saw Alexander Isak net his first goal since moving to Merseyside in a record-breaking £125 million transfer on deadline day.
Isak opened the scoring on 43 minutes, before being replaced by Ekitike at half-time.
Championship side Southampton made the Premier League champions sweat when Shea Charles equalised on 76 minutes after Liverpool failed to clear from a corner kick.
But Ekitike netted the winner nine minutes later.
The goal was sublime. Andy Robertson cut Southampton open with a beautiful long-range pass to Federico Chiesa, whose first touch was perfect. Chiesa then squared to Ekitike, leaving him with a simple finish.
Ekitike’s celebration was ridiculous. Already on a yellow card, he left referee Thomas Bramall with no option but to send him off when he removed his shirt.
This was even more ridiculous when you consider that Ekitike’s first booking of the night had been for kicking the ball away.
Liverpool right-back Jeremie Frimpong did not look impressed with Ekitike’s recklessness and was seen pushing his teammate in the chest moments before the inevitable red card was shown.
Jeremie Frimpong looked annoyed with Hugo Ekitike moments before the Liverpool striker was sent off vs Southampton
When will Hugo Ekitike serve his ban after red card vs Southampton?
Ekitike’s red card means he will be suspended for Liverpool’s next domestic fixture, which is away at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
Palace and Liverpool are the only Premier League teams still unbeaten in the English top flight so far this season.
With Ekitike banned, Isak is now likely to start at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool fans fume at Ekitike over “stupid” red card
“What a silly boy.” That was the verdict of former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, who was commentating on the game for ITV.
Many fans were far less polite.
One Reds supporter wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Absolutely shambolic from Hugo Ekitike. An already hard away game just got a lot tougher without him. Needless and so very stupid.”
A second Liverpool fan added: “Can only assume Ekitike either forgot he was on a yellow or didn’t think he’d get booked for the celebration – stupid either way.
“I bet he’s feeling proper embarrassed in the changing room right now – imagine your most embarrassing moment ever and how you felt, and then imagine it had happened with 50,000 people watching in the ground and millions elsewhere.”
A third fan called it the “dumbest red card I’ve seen”, while another tweeted: “Ekitike is a brilliant footballer but what an idiot”.
“How’s your brains mate?”
Former Premier League winner Tim Sherwood hit out at Ekitike on Sky Sports, saying: “Can you believe it? Can you believe it? He takes a second yellow card for that? I’d be fuming if I was Arne Slot. What is he thinking? He must know the rule.
“Easiest goal you’re ever going to score, but how’s your brains mate?”
Reacting to Ekitike removing his shirt to show off the writing on the back of it, Sherwood added: “We all know your name! There’s absolutely no need to show that.
“Liverpool fans appreciate what he’s doing. Now he’s not going to play and whether Isak is ready to play or not… Ekitike has let himself down.”
Andy Robertson: “Two silly bookings and we miss him for Saturday”
Liverpool left-back Robertson added in a post-match interview: “I’ll be very surprised if he does it again.
“Scoring a goal is always emotional and he’s obviously just forgot [about his first yellow card].
“His first one is stupidity. Two silly bookings and we miss him for Saturday. It’s silly from his part. He will learn from it and I’m sure he won’t do it again.”
