New Liverpool signing Hugo Ekitike made
headlines for both the right and wrong reasons on Tuesday night as his late
strike secured a 2-1 victory over Southampton in the Carabao Cup — only
for his over-the-top celebration to earn him a red card.
The 23-year-old French forward, who joined the
Reds in July for £69 million, came off the bench at halftime to replace
British-record signing Alexander Isak, who had earlier scored his first
goal for the club.
Ekitike initially struggled, picking up a yellow card
for dissent after punching the ball away in frustration. But with five minutes
left, he latched onto Federico Chiesa’s pass and coolly slotted home
what proved to be the winning goal.
In a rush of emotion, Ekitike tore off his shirt and
held it aloft for the cameras — prompting referee Thomas Bramall to
issue a second yellow card, followed by a dismissal. The forward will now miss
Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.
A remorseful Ekitike later apologised via Instagram:
“The emotion got the better of me tonight. My
apologies to all the Red family.”
Manager Arne Slot, however, was far from
impressed, calling the act “stupid” and “needless.”
“If you score in the Champions League final after
dribbling three players and smashing it in the top corner, maybe I’d
understand,” Slot said. “But tonight, that goal was all about Chiesa’s assist,
not him.”
Despite the setback, Ekitike has enjoyed a strong
start to life at Anfield, scoring three goals in five Premier League matches.
Still, with Isak eager to cement his place, the Frenchman’s suspension could
prove costly in Liverpool’s ongoing title charge.
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