Liverpool manager Arne Slot was unhappy with match-winner Hugo Ekitike’s “stupid” red card in the 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Southampton.
The 23-year-old replaced Alexander Isak at halftime, after the £125 million British record signing opened his account, but his first action resulted in a booking for smashing the ball away in fury.
When he slipped home Federico Chiesa’s pass five minutes later to put Liverpool back ahead after Shea Charles equalised, he spun away to the corner flag and removed his jersey before putting it up for the cameras. According To Irishiexaminer.
It left referee Thomas Bramall with little choice but to award a second caution, followed by a red card, meaning the Frenchman will be sidelined for the Premier League leaders’ match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
“Needless? Yes. And that was foolish. The first one was already unnecessary and, to some extent, dumb, because you have to control your emotions,” Slot explained.
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“I told him that if he scored in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it into the top corner, I could understand. He says, ‘This is all about me, what did I do’.
In His Words?
“But I am old-fashioned; I am 47 years old. I never played at this level, but I did score a few goals, and if I had scored one like this, I would have turned around and approached Federico Chiesa and said, “This goal is all about you, not about me.”
Ekitike apologized for his departure, stating that emotion got the best of him.
He shared on Instagram, “I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match…” Tonight, my emotions got the best of me. I apologize to the entire Red family.”
The red card was the second low point, as 18-year-old rookie Giovanni Leoni, who had had a trouble-free night, was carried off on a stretcher with a serious-looking knee injury and will be scanned to see what the damage is.
“He is down because, for him, it didn’t feel good immediately. Normally the emotions of a player tell you a lot,” added Slot.
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