Hugo Ekitike is reportedly set to be fined two weeks' wages by Liverpool manager Arne Slot after getting sent off against Southampton in their 2-1 Carabao Cup win. The Frenchman came off the bench to score the winner but he was soon walking down the tunnel after picking up a second yellow for taking off his shirt in celebration.
Ekitike's moment of 'stupidity'
Although Ekitike ensured Liverpool progressed to round four of the Carabao Cup with his late goal at Anfield in midweek, he drew the ire of manager Slot for his avoidable dismissal. The 23-year-old came on for Alexander Isak in the second half, and eight minutes after his arrival, he was booked for punching the ball away when referee Thomas Bramall blew for a Saints free-kick.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt star then tapped in Federico Chiesa's pass in the 85th minute to make it 2-1 and took his shirt off to celebrate in front of the home fans. It didn't take long for it to dawn on him and many others that he would get his marching orders, and sure enough, Ekitike was given a second yellow.
Following the victory, manager Slot said, "Needless? Yes. And it was stupid. The first one was already needless and, to a certain extent, stupid, as you have got to control your emotions. 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 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'. It's always best to control your emotions. If you can't, do it in a way that doesn't lead to a yellow card."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLiverpool star Ekitike apologises for 'needless' red card
The 6ft 3in forward, who has five goals for the season in all competitions already, admitted the "emotion got the better of me" after removing his jersey in the heat of the moment.
He wrote on social media, "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!"
Teammate Andrew Robertson also criticised Ekitike for his actions, labelling the incident "silly".
He told , "I'll be very surprised if he does it again. Scoring a goal is always emotional and he's obviously just forgotten. His first one is stupidity. Two silly bookings and we miss him for Saturday. It's silly from his part. He will learn from it and I'm sure he won't do it again."
Punishment for Liverpool's Ekitike revealed
According to the, Ekitike is facing having his wages docked for two weeks as a result of this incident. While this may just be a drop in the ocean for the cash-rich player, who is said to be earning around £250,000 a week, his teammates will be more annoyed that the ex-Paris Saint-Germain man will serve a one-match ban.
He has three Premier League goals already and with colleague Isak still not 100 per cent fit, that may mean the Sweden international has to play longer than he would wish right now.
Getty Images SportEkitike will have eyes on Isak
With Ekitike set to miss Liverpool's trip to unbeaten Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, a side that beat the Reds in the Community Shield final last month, former Newcastle United star Isak will likely start at Selhurst Park.
The Swede signed for a whopping £125 million ($169m) this summer, dwarfing the £79m ($105m) spent on Ekitike. There could come a point this season where Isak is first-choice striker, so the Frenchman has to be on top form to keep him out of the team. He will return for their Champions League game away at Galatasaray next Tuesday, though.