Liverpool progressed in the EFL Cup but face a suspension for forward Hugo ekitike after he received a second yellow card for excessive celebration following the winning goal against Southampton. The match ended 2-1, securing LiverpoolS advancement in the tournament.
The incident, occurring at 08:02 BST, drew sharp criticism from liverpool manager Arne Slot, who described Ekitike’s actions as “stupid” and questioned his awareness of the game situation. Ekitike’s suspension means he will miss saturday’s match, a setback for the team as they continue their campaign.
Slot emphasized the importance of team play, contrasting Ekitike’s celebration with what he would have done in a similar situation. “If I scored a goal like he did tonight, I would turn to Chiesa and say ‘it’s about you Federico – great assist, great run and I didn’t have to do a lot’,” Slot stated. ”Maybe that’s me being old-school.”
the manager acknowledged Ekitike’s youth and expressed hope that the player would learn from the experience. “I’d be very surprised if he does it again. He probably forgot he got a yellow.He’s young and he will learn from it. I’m sure he won’t do it again.” Despite the suspension, slot noted the positive aspect of his team rallying to secure the win.
