Hugo Ekitike will have to convince Arne Slot that he is worthy of the Dutchman’s trust after the Frenchman’s reckless sending off in Liverpool’s 2-1 triumph at Anfield in the EFL Cup.
Isak got replaced by the Frenchman off the bench, and he had already scored his first Liverpool goal. However, Southampton managed to equalise through Shea Charles, but it was Federico Chiesa’s neat pass that allowed Ekitike to put Liverpool back in front with a tap-in finish.
Rather than enjoying the moment, Ekitike lifted his jersey and celebrated like Messi. Having already received a yellow card for arguing with the referee, the action caused him to be issued with a second yellow card and a dismissal, sending him off at the same time as the visitors’ bench and thus out of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.
Slot was very direct after the game: “It was an unnecessary and stupid act.” He also added: “The first caution was already very thoughtless. A striker should keep his nervous in check. If you score in a Champions League final, perhaps, but not here. He should have thanked Chiesa—it was his goal.”
Ekitike accepted responsibility via Twitter saying, “I let the emotion take over me. I am sorry to the Liverpool family.”
His lack of this will allow Isak, another record signing, to start at Selhurst Park but Slot has given advance warning that the Swede’s physical condition remains under strict control “
