Cynthia Ezegwu
Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike has apologised to fans after being sent off for removing his shirt while celebrating a late winner against Southampton in the League Cup on Tuesday night.
The 23-year-old Frenchman struck in the 85th minute to seal a 2-1 victory at Anfield, but his jubilant celebration — holding up his shirt to the cameras — earned him a second yellow card and subsequent dismissal.
Ekitike, a £69 million summer signing, had earlier been booked for dissent. His red card means he will miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
Taking to Instagram after the match, Ekitike expressed regret over the incident.
“The emotion got the better of me tonight. My apologies to all the Red family,” he wrote.
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot criticised the forward’s actions, calling the celebration “needless” and “stupid.”
“I told him that if you score in a Champions League final after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner, maybe I can understand,” Slot said. “But this goal was all about Federico Chiesa’s assist, not about him.”
Ekitike has made a strong start to the season with three goals in five league games but now faces a setback in his battle for a regular starting spot alongside record signing Alexander Isak.