LFC Live - Arne Slot left with major headache as Hugo Ekitike SENT OFF for ridiculous reason

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.

Hugo Ekitike saw red for removing his shirt as he celebrated his late, late goal for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup against Southampton, leaving the Premier League champions with a striker dilemma ahead of the weekend.

Ekitike scored in the 85th minute to make it 2-1 to the Reds, who had taken the lead through Alexander Isak in the first half before Shea Charles levelled for the Saints.

But the Frenchman was shown a second yellow card by referee Thomas Bramall for removing his shirt in the aftermath, meaning he will be suspended when Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Ekitike's red card means that Arne Slot could be forced to hand Isak a start.

However, the Dutchman has already stressed that Liverpool's new £125million signing is not ready to play for long periods consistently after effectively missing out on pre-season at Newcastle due to the stand-off over his future.

But Slot may have no choice but to hand the Sweden international another start on Saturday with Ekitike now unavailable.

The Reds striker was slammed by Chris Sutton, who was analysing the game for BBC Radio 5 Live.

He said: "For Ekitike to get a second yellow card for that (taking his shirt off) is just sheer stupidity, and he'll now miss the league game against Crystal Palace.

"He's been such an important player for Liverpool so far this season, what a start to his Liverpool career, important goal this evening, but that's not great for Arne Slot if he's sitting out the game at the weekend."

There will be more to follow on this breaking news storyand Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.

Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story.