Hugo Ekitike has admitted his emotions ‘got the better of me’ after the Liverpool striker was sent off in bizarre circumstances on Tuesday night, infuriating boss Arne Slot.
Slot brandished Ekitike’s red card as ‘stupid and needless’ after the in-form Frenchman was given his marching orders following two avoidable bookable offences as the Reds advanced to the next round of the League Cup.
Ekitike was introduced as a second half substitute by Slot and swiftly received his first caution from referee Thomas Bramall for dissent, having reacted petulantly when penalised for a foul.
Then, after scoring what proved to be the decisive goal in the 85th minute, Ekitike removed his shirt in glee, leaving Bramall with no option but to hand out an additional yellow card.
It means that Ekitike, who has enjoyed a bright start to life at Anfield with five goals in eight appearances, will miss this weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace, who boast an unbeaten run stretching to 17 games.
‘The first one [booking] was already needless and to a certain extent stupid because you have to control your emotions in a way that does not lead to a yellow card,’ said Slot, who refused to even look at Ekitike as he trudged off the pitch.
Hugo Ekitike has issued an apology after being sent off for Liverpool against Southampton
Arne Slot refused to acknowledge his striker after he picked up two avoidable yellow cards
‘I told him if you score in the Champions League final after beating three defenders and putting the ball in the top corner, I can maybe understand it is all about ‘me’,’ added the Liverpool manager.
‘But I am old-fashioned. If I scored a goal like this I would go to Federico Chiesa and say it is all about you, not about me. It was needless and not smart. You call it stupid and I call it stupid.’
Now, Ekitike has taken to Instagram to issue an apology to Liverpool fans following his antics at Anfield.
‘I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match,’ he said.
‘The emotion got the better of me tonight. My apologies to all the Red family. Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my team-mates for secured this victory!’
In the Sky Sports studio, pundit Jamie Redknapp echoed Slot’s thoughts, labelling Ekitike’s red card as a ‘brain fart’ moment.
‘This is just pure brain fart. He’s been amazing since he came in, scoring goals, started so well. I feel sorry for him because that’s cost him – he’s not going to play against Crystal Palace.
‘Why he’s taken his shirt off to show the crowd as well, I don’t know. Is there a message, is he trying to say something? He doesn’t need to – we all know his name, he’s a different class, mate. He’s been doing so well at the club. Frimpong is saying, “What are you doing big man?”.’
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp labelled Ekitike’s antics as a ‘brain fart’ moment
Redknapp was asked by host Mark Chapman if his rival for the No 9 position Alexander Isak’s strike in the game was the spark that caused his exuberant celebration.
‘The way that he’s played doesn’t look like he’s under pressure,’ Redknapp said.
‘He’s scoring goals every game, he’s been brilliant. Only he knows why he’s taken off his shirt. He knows the rules, they’re the same rules all around the world, he’s been booked, he’s just completely forgotten. It’s the buzz, he’s just scored, it’s the emotion of what’s happened.
‘But it’s come at a high price for him because football is really tough – you only need to be out for one game. If Alexander Isak comes in, he scores, then he might have to find himself starting off the bench again. Now, with the way he’s been playing, he’s made himself a number nine.’
