Liverpool secured a spot in the Carabao Cup’s fourth round with a 2–1 win over Southampton at Anfield on Tuesday night, but Hugo Ekitike made sure it was not that straightforward
The striker came on as a substitute to score the winner, and was immediately sent off for taking off his shirt in celebration.
It was one of those moments that had fans cheering one second and shaking their heads the next. Ekitike, who joined this summer from Paris Saint-Germain, had already received a booking earlier in the match.
His goal, a simple finish from a Federico Chiesa cutback, looked to be the perfect start for him. Instead, he earned himself a second yellow card and made an early exit due to his careless celebration; a moment which Liverpool manager Arne Slot branded “stupid.”
Ekitike would later express over social media that he simply got carried away with emotions.
Will Still’s hilarious take on Hugo Ekitike's red card
For Will Still, the Southampton manager, it was less of a frustration and more of a comedy. He knows Ekitike well from their time together at Reims and said that the striker had basically planned the moment hours prior to kick-off.
“Hugo cracks me up, he’s a funny lad,” Still said with a grin. “We caught up before the game, and he said he’d come on and score, give me a shirt and bugger off, which is exactly what he’s done. Fair play to him.” (The Athletic)
Still first met Hugo Ekitike at Reims in the 2022–23 season when Still was briefly assistant manager. Even in that short period, he was captivated by Ekitike’s confidence and eagerness to learn.
Still remembers a player with a mix of talent and a cheeky sense of humour. It was a combination that obviously stuck with him and was clearly in evidence during Tuesday’s EFL Cup moment at Anfield that would make most minutes thrill.
And we got just a glimpse of the same blend of humour and cheek Still used to see from Ekitike in their time together in France.
For now, Liverpool are safely through to the fourth round but will soon continue the competition without him since Ekitike’s suspension means he won’t be around for a bit..
The 23-year-old has made a good start to life with The Reds, with 2 goals in his first 3 league games including last night’s winner before he was sent off.
Simply put, performances like this are why the club signed him, and episodes are further evidence of his potential. His celebration was just a reminder that there are still some rough edges to be sanded down.