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Raging Liverpool boss Slot slams Ekitike for red card celebration
Sep 24 2025 08:38 · By Ken Lawrence/Ken Lawrence · 33 Reads
RAGING boss Arne Slot and skipper Andy Robertson slammed Hugo Ekitike for getting a second yellow card after he took off his shirt to celebrate ANOTHER late Reds clincher.
Swedish star Isak is now set for his first Premier League start for Liverpool at Crystal Palace on Saturday, with Ekitike suspended.
3 Arne Slot slammed Hugo Ekitike for getting a second yellow card for taking off his shirt
Ekitike only came on at half time for Isak, who netted his first goal in a Reds shirt to give Liverpool the lead.
The Frenchman received his first yellow card just eight minutes later for punching the ball away when referee Thomas Bramall gave Southampton a free-kick.
And Bramall had no choice but to send Ekitike off when he whipped off his shirt after his 85th-minute winner - with everyone in Anfield left in disbelief.
Furious Slot raged: “It was stupid and needless. I was surprised at how he celebrated and, even worse, he took his shirt off.
“If I scored a goal like he did, I would have turned around and pointed at Federico Chiesa for the assist. Maybe I’m old school.
“It was stupid, not smart. He’s suspended for Saturday — and that’s not ideal.”
Robertson also let rip, adding: “His first one is stupidity, kicking the ball away, we know the rules.
"Two silly bookings but he’s only young and will learn from it. I’d be very surprised if he does it again.”
Isak gave Anfield a taste of what he can do by opening his Kop account two minutes before the break.
The Swede — playing his third game following a £130million British-record move from Newcastle — warmed down on the pitch at half-time and was hooked for Ekitike.
Southampton midfielder Shea Charles levelled the third-round Carabao Cup tie with 14 minutes left before the Reds’ late show.
Defending Ekitike, Isak said: “I am sure he just wasn’t aware of being on a yellow in that moment.
“Sometimes when you score a goal you are in that moment. It is unfortunate.”
Ekitike posted on Instagram: “Emotion got the better of me. My apologies to the Red family.”
3 Ekitike took his shirt off after scoring the winner Credit: Reuters
3 But he was shown red Credit: AFP
