'I'll be very surprised': Andy Robertson makes admission about Hugo Ekitike after Southampton sending off
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Hugo Ekitike got himself a red card against Southampton with a second yellow for taking his shirt off.
The Reds got the job done once again, this time needing a fairly-late goal to get them over the line and into the fourth round of the EFL Cup.
It was Frenchman Ekitike who came off the bench to grab the winner, but after already being booked earlier in the game, he got a second yellow for taking his shirt off when celebrating.
Ekitike admitted that he let the emotion get the better of him, but for Arne Slot and Liverpool, they are now without the striker for their trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
This will be a huge blow for the Reds and the striker’s moment of madness could cost them dearly, with the captain on the night, Andy Robertson, having his say on the matter.
Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Ekitike has had an exceptional start to his Liverpool career and has been the only new signing to really come in and hit the ground running.
He also showed up again for the game against Southampton and looked sharp off the bench, something he needed to do given that Alexander Isak scored his first goal for the club before coming off.
However, this needless red card not only let himself down, but his teammates too, and Robertson gave his very honest take on it.
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“I’ll be very surprised if he does it again!” Robertson told Sky Sports following the game.
“I think scoring a goal is always emotional and you always get that emotion, but he’s obviously just forgot that he’s been booked.
“His first one was stupid, kicking the ball away.
We know the rules now and then it was just two silly bookings and now we’re missing him for Saturday.
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“It’s silly on his part but he’s only young and he’ll learn from it.
Of course, Ekitike should not be judged based on one silly moment, especially after what he has done at the club so far, but it will still be a slight worry.
Whether he genuinely just forgot or if Isak scoring had a slight role to play, the Frenchman needs to stay composed and think about the team.
Too often, players let their emotions get the better of them and they struggle to perform, with Reds fans knowing this all too well after seeing Darwin Nunez play for their club.
And if he is to compete with Isak to lead the line, he just needs to focus on his own game or else the Swede will capitalise and become the main man.