Hugo Ekitike has apologized to Liverpool fans after being sent off for removing his jersey following his late League Cup victory over Southampton, a celebration dubbed “stupid” by manager Arne Slot.
Liverpool provided another late show at Anfield on Tuesday, as the 23-year-old new signing slipped home Federico Chiesa’s pass five minutes from time to seal a 2-1 victory over second-tier Southampton.
At halftime, the France forward replaced £125 million ($168 million) British record signing Alexander Isak, who had already established his account for the club.
Ekitike was initially booked for punching the ball away in frustration.
Shea Charles equalized, but Ekitike scored the winner in the 85th minute, wheeling away to the corner flag and removing his shirt before holding it up for the cameras.
Referee Thomas Bramall issued a second caution followed by a red card, suspending the forward for the Premier League leaders’ trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
“I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup (League Cup) match,” he posted on Instagram.
“The emotion got the better of me tonight,” he added. “My apologies to all the Red family.”
Liverpool boss Slot was unhappy, calling Ekitike’s actions in the third-round clash “needless” and “stupid.”
“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 said.
“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.”
Ekitike has started the season brightly, scoring three goals in five Premier League appearances.
However, he is competing for a forward spot with Isak and cannot afford to miss games, as the Swede is anxious to make his impact.
