National media react to 'preposterous' Liverpool decision that left Arne Slot 'dumbfounded'

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It was a tale of three strikers for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup as they beat Southampton 2-1 on Tuesday night via goals from Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

Both of which were put on a plate by Federico Chiesa.

It was another night of late drama for the Reds at Anfield, this time forcing a winner in the closing stages via Ekitike, whose tap-in came about after a sumptuous control from Chiesa to give his team-mate the chance to settle the game.

Ekititke was promptly sent off for removing a shirt in celebration while already on a booking, having replaced Isak, who opened his account in the 43rd minute, for the second half.

READ MORE:Southampton boss reveals what Hugo Ekitike predicted before Liverpool kick off - 'Incredibly annoying'

The ECHO, as ever, was on hand to oversee the game.

Here's what they made of it after a sixth successive Liverpool win.

The Times' Paul Joyce writes: "It was always going to require something remarkable to wrestle the spotlight away from Alexander Isak’s first Liverpool goal.

Hugo Ektike duly obliged, though not in the manner he would have hoped.

"The French striker had replaced Isak at the interval and maintained Liverpool’s slew of late winners this season to see off a plucky Southampton side.

The forward will miss their next game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"Progress to the Carabao Cup fourth round was still achieved but, until then, the focus was drawn to Isak and no-one can dispute he is not prepared to put in the hard yards in order to be a success."

Rich Jolly, of The Independent, pens: "And to think some worried Hugo Ekitike would be overshadowed by Alexander Isak at Anfield.

There was a surprise for Will Still, who saw his Southampton team leave their patchy form well behind.

"But the biggest shock was reserved for Arne Slot, who watched in disbelief as Hugo Etikite saved the day in one moment then, in the next, presented his manager with an unnecessary headache from two actions that even his team-mates regarded as preposterous.

"You have to go some to get criticism after plundering a late winner but for Ekitike to put a blemish on all his early outstanding work with two – wholly avoidable – bookings and earn himself a suspension for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace left Slot dumbfounded."

And in the ECHO's verdict: "But Isak is not the only big-money striker joining Liverpool this summer and his exit for Hugo Ekitike gave the France international the chance to strut his own stuff for 45 minutes.

"Once more the former Eintracht Frankfurt man, who could end up costing the Reds £79m, was bright and inventive, with his elegant, rangy style forcing Southampton into a number of desperate scrambles inside their own penalty area.

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"After Shea Charles had profited from a failure to clear a corner - look away now Wataru Endo - it was left to Ekitike to tap in Chiesa's second assist of the evening for his fifth goal in seven games.

"Incomprehensibly, Ekitike, who was already on a booking for shoving the ball away in frustration at a Thomas Bramall decision, removed his shirt in celebration, only to promptly see the second yellow flashed in his direction.