Liverpool Football head coach Arne Slot has blasted striker Hugo Ekitike for picking up what he described as a stupid red card.
In a post-game interview after Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup, the Dutch coach delivered the scathing remarks on the French forward for picking up a second yellow card and getting dismissed from the contest.
Ekitike scored in the 85th minute and celebrated his goal by taking off his shirt and picked up his second yellow card leading to his sending off.
The game marked Alexander Isak’s debut goal for Liverpool since joining the club but Ekitike’s latest goal for the Reds led to a dramatic ending to the game and Slot was far from impressed.
“I hope so [he doesn’t do it again]…it was stupid, not smart in every sense.”
Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the first goal and his first for the club during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on September 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
“The good thing was that his teammates helped him because we got the win over the line. He’s now suspended for Saturday [against Crystal Palace] and that is far from ideal” Slot said to Sky Sports.
Arne Slot Photo Courtesy: Getty Images
Ekitike has five goals and an assist in eight games in all competitions for Liverpool.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s second goal by removing his match shirt and subsequently receives a second yellow card from Referee Thomas Bramall (not pictured) to be sent off during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on September 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
