Liverpool boss Arne Slot blames goalscorer Ekitike for 'stupid' red card

Ekitike came off the bench to score Liverpool’s winning goal in their 2-1 Carabao Cup victory against Southampton at Anfield but was subsequently sent off, resulting in a two-match suspension.

The 23-year-old forward was shown a second yellow card for taking off his shirt while celebrating, having already received an earlier booking for dissent. As a consequence, he will miss Saturday's trip to Selhurst Park.

In his post-match press conference, head coach Arne Slot expressed his frustration with the player's actions, calling the behavior "needless and stupid."

Slot emphasized the importance of emotional control, particularly for a number nine."I know how hard it is when you are a No. 9 when the defender can to a certain extent do anything he likes.

"It's always the best to control your emotions. If you can't, do it in a way that doesn't lead to a yellow card," Slot said.

“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 years 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.'

"Needless, not smart, you call it stupid, I called it stupid right away as well.”

After facing Crystal Palace this weekend, Liverpool will travel to Turkey to take on Galatasaray.