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Hugo Ekitike apologised after a red card celebration Arne Slot called “stupid.”
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His late winner against Southampton sparked the incident.
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He now misses Liverpool’s trip to Crystal Palace.
Liverpool’s summer signings Hugo Ekitike apologised after the referee sent him off for removing his shirt in celebration following a late League Cup winner against Southampton – a moment that forced Arne Slot to call the act “stupid.”
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The 23-year-old fired home Federico Chiesa’s pass five minutes from time to lift Liverpool to a 2-1 win at Anfield, then sparked pandemonium before his booking turned into a red card.
The Reds fell behind early but fought back: Alexander Isak opened his account and Shea Charles levelled.
Hugo Ekitike came on at half-time and had already picked up a yellow for punching the ball away in frustration.
When he scored in the 85th minute he ran to the corner flag, ripped off his shirt and held it up for the cameras and referee Thomas Bramall immediately showed a second yellow.
As a result, Hugo Ekitike will miss Liverpool’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday because removing a shirt carries an automatic suspension.
That suspension hurts a player who has started the season strongly, with three goals in five league outings, and who now risks losing minutes in a tight battle up front with Isak.
A shame-faced Ekitike, who signed for the club in July for £69 million, said he had got carried away.
“I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup (League Cup) match,” – he posted on Instagram.
“The emotion got the better of me tonight,” he added. “My apologies to all the Red family.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was blunt in his judgement, calling the celebration “needless” and “stupid.”
“I told him that if you score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner I can maybe understand,” – he said.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/09/ekitike-apologises-to-liverpool-fans-after-stupid-red-card/
“He is like, ‘This is all about me, what did I do’? But I am old-fashioned, I’m 47 and old. I never played at this level but did score a few goals and if I scored a goal like this, I’d have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and said: ‘This goal is all about you, this is not about me’.”
Hugo Ekitike’s red card reshuffles Liverpool’s short-term options up front and hands Isak and others a clear chance to stake a claim while the French forward serves his ban.
For now, Liverpool must steady their discipline and protect momentum as they chase silverware and domestic form.
