Hugo Ekitike surprise relationship explained as Joe Gomez ignores familiar Liverpool advice

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Liverpool's 2-1 win over Southampton in the Carabao Cup now means Arne Slot's side have now won six successive games across all competitions this season heading into Saturday's visit to Crystal Palace.

After Shea Charles had cancelled out Alexander Isak's first goal for his new club since his £125m move from Newcastle United on September 1, it was left to Hugo Ekitike to score another late winner for the Reds.

However, the young French striker swiftly went from hero to zero when he was given a second yellow card by referee Thomas Bramall for removing his shirt.

But you knew all of that, of course.

What you might have missed, however, were a series of intriguing subplots on the night itself.

READ MORE:Federico Chiesa shares true feelings on Liverpool Champions League snub and terrace anthemREAD MORE:Alexander Isak makes Liverpool start claim after Hugo Ekitike red card and 'special' Newcastle situation

As ever, here are our best 'moments missed' from Anfield on Tuesday.

Unlikely link-up explained

To many, the sight of new signing Ekitike sharing a pre-match embrace and joke with Southampton boss Will Still was an unusual one.

The France international, though, has previously played under the Saints' Belgian-born boss at Reims and the pair were clearly delighted to see each other before the game when their paths crossed.

Still, in fact, was Reims coach when Ekitike was sold to Paris Saint-Germain in July 2022 and the now Southampton manager opened up on what was said between the pair prior to kick off on the night, which proved to be eerily prophetic from Liverpool's No.22.

"Hugo cracks me up," Still said of his former player.

He is a constant threat and incredibly annoying to play against."

No Goalmez

The wait for a Joe Gomez Liverpool goal has now stretched past 10 years, with the versatile and long-serving defender failing to open his account across an Anfield career that has now spanned 244 games.

In full fairness to the former Charlton Athletic youngster, he barely crosses the halfway line, but those inside Anfield on Tuesday night couldn't help contain their excitement when the ball dropped to the defender about 30 yards from goal in the second half.

Inevitably cries of "SHOOT!" could be heard across the ground as he lined up but the audible groans when he instead elected to recycle possession with a pass out wide was something of a new wrinkle to the long-standing - and very much tongue-in-cheek - demands for Gomez to let fly whenever he is anywhere even close to goal.

We'd like to say Gomez is getting closer to opening his account but we're not entirely sure that's true.

As long as he helps keep them out, though, that's the main thing for the popular centre-back.

Lincoln 1...

The half-time scores of the other Carabao Cup fixtures on Tuesday night brought about a big cheer from the Anfield patrons when they were informed of a potential shock on the cards at the time.

With Chelsea trailing to Lincoln 1-0 at the break, Reds fans took particular delight in hearing that scoreline as LFCTV's Peter McDowall read out how the evening's other ties were shaping up.

A big, mocking cheer went up across the stadium upon hearing that Robert Street's goal had given the hosts the lead at Sincil Bank but, unfortunately for those on the Kop, the Londoners turned it around shortly after half-time and will also be in the draw for the fourth round.

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The potential for a third Carabao Cup final four years against Chelsea remains for Liverpool.