Arne Slot fumes at Hugo Ekitike for a ‘needless and stupid’ celebration that led to a red card in Liverpool’s win over Southampton.
Hugo Ekitike forgot that he had already received a yellow card and took off his shirt right after scoring an 85th minute winner.
The sending-off means he is now suspended for Saturday’s Premier League game away at Crystal Palace.
Hugo Ekitike forgot that he had already received a yellow card and took off his shirt right after scoring a goal.
A moment later, he looked at the second yellow cardboard box and flew off the field. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
pic.twitter.com/9K8WBGTp2A
— Epic Red Cards (@epicredcards) September 23, 2025
Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to ITV:
“Not our best performance. You can expect that if you play a complete new team. So many players that haven’t played for a long time. There were positives, Giorgi Mamardashvili had a good game, Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Lioni had a good game. A first goal for Alexander [Isak] and another from Hugo [Ekitike].
“Positives from the game but how we played as a team – not taking anything away from Southampton because they played well – it wasn’t our best performance.
On Hugo Ekitike’s actions: “It is not [stupid] because it was his second [yellow] – it’s stupid even if you haven’t had a yellow card yet.
“Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned but I did score a few goals – not at his level but I did – and if I went past three players and put it in the top corner then maybe you can say ‘this is all about me’.
“But 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’. Maybe that’s me being old-school.
“It was stupid, not smart in every sense. The good thing is that his team-mates helped him to get the win over the line, but the thing is he is now suspended for Saturday and that is far from ideal.”
Slot added that he hoped his 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.”
“It was stupid, in every sense” 😬
Arne Slot was not pleased with Hugo Ekitke after he received a second yellow card for taking his shirt off while celebrating 🟥 pic.twitter.com/mBsyHapKmN
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 23, 2025
Ekitike went on social media on Tuesday night to apologise, saying: “I was so excited to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match.
“The emotion got the better of me. My apologies to all the Red family. Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my team-mates for this victory!”
But, speaking just after the game, his manager Arne Slot was left bemused.
“It is not [stupid] because it was his second [yellow] – it’s stupid even if you haven’t had a yellow card yet,” he said.
“Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned but I did score a few goals – not at his level, but I did – and if I went past three players and put it in the top corner then maybe you can say: ‘This is all about me.’
“But 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.’ Maybe that’s me being old-school.
“It was stupid, not smart in every sense. The good thing is that his team-mates helped him to get the win over the line, but the thing is he is now suspended for Saturday and that is far from ideal.”
🗣️ Arne Slot on Hugo Ekitike’s sending off:
“I think I said when I got my red card against Everton, that’s always stupid.
“…I’m old-fashioned. I’m 47, and old, maybe. I haven’t played at this level but I did score a few goals, and if I’d scored a goal like this, I would have… pic.twitter.com/7JBFlhuhIF
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) September 23, 2025
Hugo Ekitike has apologised for being sent off in the Carabao Cup after removing his shirt in celebration 👕 pic.twitter.com/vHggZLOPJR
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 24, 2025
Southampton boss Will Still, speaking to ITV Sport: “We played well in parts. We stood up. It sums up our start to the season and where it is going wrong for us.
“I am pleased with how we reacted but it is frustrating. We show potential and a lot of good will but you’ve shot yourself in the foot by conceding the first one.
“We need to keep at it. We are starting to see a lot of good things. I know it is slow progress. Head up and chin up, keep hammering that nail on the head and I am sure we will click into gear.”
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, speaking to ITV Sport: “Amazing. It was good to get back out there and score my first goal here and get the win as well. A good night.
“I should have scored earlier as well. It is part of being a striker, you miss some and score some. The most important thing is to shake it off and be ready for the next one.
“I feel confident in myself that things will work out and when I get chances I will put them away.”
On being ready to start this weekend: “I feel good. With every game I play it is very helpful and gets me in better shape.
“It is difficult to say. It is a mixture of fitness wise and football wise. I feel good and feel I am in a shape to make a difference.”
On Ekitike sending off: “I am sure he just wasn’t aware of being on a yellow in that moment. Sometimes when you score a goal you are in that moment. Of course it is unfortunate.”
“We put in a really good performance”
Will Still reacts to his side’s late defeat at Anfield 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/Est3K98YBA
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 23, 2025
“The first chance should’ve been a goal!” 😅
Alexander Isak reacts to scoring his first goal for Liverpool ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/cX88bE0Adp
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 23, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted as Arne Slot fumes at Hugo Ekitike for a ‘needless and stupid’ celebration that led to a red card…
@DamnDaniel0161: He’s right, why would you take your top off when you’ve scored a tap in against Southampton in the 3rd round of the carabao cup, it’s embarrassing
@ItsKing_I: He was selfish. Chiesa gave him the ball on a plate and he’s making it about himself. What a boy!
@Detective82: Really like this from Slot. When scorers finish an easy move which has been created through the genius of another – but celebrate like they did it all themselves it really is embarrassing. (@PLCPolice)
@PaulAntonybell: He got sent off for celebrating against a Saints team in 19th in the championship while the other is the best player ever 😂
@farlored09: Very important not to get too carried away with the “kid” because at the end of the day he is only a kid. As long as he learns from it he will bounce back stronger. We all make mistakes, but not too many of us have Alexander Isak to bail us out 🤣
@ccameronoates; Nah everyone be for real if you were 22 banging a winner in front of the kop. You’d be sending it knee sliding into the corner whipping the shirt above your head. Would be impossible not too
@wwooldridge: Anyone going in on the lad should remember Gerrard in the derby kicked the ball away and less than 2 minutes later two footed lunge on the edge of our box. It happens to the best just gotta hope he learns. The dissent yellow shouldn’t have happened then he can take one for shirt
