Hugo Ekitike takes to social media after red card
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Image Credits: Hugo Ekitike (Instagram)Alexander Isak scored his first goal for Liverpool before Hugo Ekitike netted the winner, only to be sent off, in a narrow Carabao Cup third-round victory over Southampton.
The Sweden striker calmly finished in the 43rd minute after Federico Chiesa capitalized on a sloppy pass from Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and laid the ball back for Isak.
Liverpool struggled to maintain control in the second half, and Shea Charles equalized in the 76th minute when Wataru Endo inadvertently headed the ball toward his own goal, setting up a tense finish.
Ekitike, who replaced Isak at half-time and has impressed since his summer move to Merseyside, restored Liverpool’s lead when Chiesa raced onto the ball and supplied the French forward for a composed finish.
However, already on a booking for a first-half foul, Ekitike removed his shirt in celebration and was shown a second yellow, leaving Liverpool to see out the final minutes with 10 men.
The suspension rules him out of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.
Reacting to Ekitike’s red card, vice-captain Andy Robertson told Sky Sports: “I’ll be very surprised if he does it again.
“Scoring a goal is emotional and he’s obviously forgot.
His first one is stupidity.
“It’s silly from his part.
He will learn from it and I’m sure he won’t do it again.”
Alexander Isak, speaking to ITV Sport added: “I am sure he just wasn’t aware of being on a yellow in that moment.
“Sometimes when you score a goal you are in that moment?
Of course it is unfortunate.”
Hugo Ekitike has apologised for removing his shirt and receiving a second yellow card during Liverpool’s win over Southampton.
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