Liverpool manager Arne Slot hit out at Hugo Ekitike’s red card in the 2-1 EFL Cup third round win over Southampton on Tuesday, calling it “stupid”, Afrosport reports.
The 23-year-old Frenchman of Cameroonian heritage replaced Alexander Isak, who scored the opening goal, at the start of the second half, and was first booked in the 53rd minute for kicking the ball out in frustration.
He was then sent off for taking off his shirt after scoring the winner in the 85th minute, nine minutes after Shea Charles had equalised for Southampton.
Liverpool captain on the night, Andy Robertson, said Ekitike removing his shirt was a stupid thing to do, which Slot agreed with.
“I think it’s also stupid if you haven’t had a yellow card yet,” the Dutch tactician stated.
“Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned, maybe a bit old school, but I did score a few goals – not at this level – as well and if I maybe outplay three players, which I never did, and then hit it in the top corner, then maybe you can say ‘oh, this is all about me.’
“But if I had to score a goal like he did tonight, I would have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and would say ‘It’s all about you, Federico. Great assist, great run, and I didn’t have to do a lot’.
“It was stupid, not smart in every sense… he’s now suspended for Saturday and that is far from ideal.”
Hugo with the winner 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/NZ2rZrwTrX
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 23, 2025
Ekitike took to his Instagram account after the match to apologise to Liverpool fans, saying his emotions got the better of him.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt player will be suspended for this weekend’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.
