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Arne Slot's instant reaction to Hugo Ekitike Liverpool red card speaks volumes

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Arne Slot's initial reaction to Hugo Ekitike's red card during Liverpool's win over Southampton has been spotted.

The Reds claimed a 2-1 victory over the Saints on Tuesday night to progress to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Ekitike scored the winning goal for Liverpool after Alexander Isak had put the home side in front at Anfield.



Liverpool will now be without Ekitike for the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at the weekend as the striker serves a one-game suspension for his red card.



READ MORE:Bayern Munich 'bid' to foil Liverpool transfer plan as Michael Olise move 'made'READ MORE:Hugo Ekitike shows support for Liverpool teammate after 'stupid' red card admission

It was at the moment Ekitike was issued a red card by referee Thomas Bramall that a photo has emerged showing Slot's initial reaction.

The image shows Ekitike being given his marching orders, with Slot looking perplexed on the touchline in the background.

Slot spoke about the red card for Ekitike at full-time, where he described it as "needless" and "stupid".

"The first one (yellow card) was already needless and to a certain extent stupid because you have to control your emotions," said Slot.

"I know how hard it is if you play in the Premier League and you are a number nine then the defender can almost do everything he wants, and when you push him a little bit you get a free-kick against you.

"But it is always the best to control your emotions, and if you can't then do it in a way that doesn't lead to a yellow card.

"So I think I said when I got my red card against Everton [last season] that's always stupid because you can show your emotions.

"But if it leads to a yellow or red then it's, to a certain extent, stupid.

"Then I told him that if you score in a Champions League final in the 87th minute after beating three players and hitting it in the top corner I can maybe understand you say: 'It's all about me'.

"But I'm old fashioned, I'm 47, I'm old, and I haven't played at this level but I did score a few goals, and if I scored a goal like this I would have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and say: 'This goal is all about you, this is not about me'.

"So, yeah, needless, not smart, you call it stupid and I call it stupid."

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