Slot hits out at ‘stupid’ Ekitike after red card for celebrating Liverpool winner

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View image in fullscreenSlot hits out at ‘stupid’ Ekitiké after red card for celebrating Liverpool winner

Alexander Isak, a scourge of Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final last season, opened his account in red as Arne Slot’s side advanced into round four courtesy of another late show.

It was a far from comfortable night for the Premier League leaders, however, with Southampton’s adventure, Hugo Ekitiké’s foolish red card and a potentially serious injury to the debutant Giovanni Leoni ensuring victory came at a price.

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Liverpool needed an 85th-minute winner from Ekitiké to avoid a penalty shootout against Will Still’s tenacious side and launch their quest to reach a fourth League Cup final in five seasons.



“With the second one I told him that if you score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner … I can maybe understand he is like: ‘This is all about me.’ But I’m old-fashioned.

No matter, Léo Scienza was first to the rebound and with only Leoni covering the Liverpool goal appeared certain to score.

It was to be the record signing’s final contribution as Slot eases the striker back to match fitness following his summer strike at Newcastle.

Liverpool had more control after the interval with Ekitiké’s movement and Chiesa’s industry occupying Southampton, although sloppiness in possession continued to offer hope and space to the visitors.

Gómez, signed from Inter Miami in January, struck Brighton's early opener and followed up with two spectacular efforts – a blistering shot into the roof of the net and a 30-yard volley over Barnsley keeper Murphy Coopers.

The Paraguay midfielder (pictured) then slid home his fourth goal in the second half, with substitutes Harry Howell and Yasin Ayari also on target late in the game as Fabian Hürzeler’s side hit six for the second Carabao Cup game in a row, having beaten Oxford 6-0 in the third round.

Cardiff City won 2-1 at Burnley to reach the fourth round for the first time since reaching the final in 2012.

Substitute Arokodare sealed victory in the 87th minute, finishing off a break as Everton pushed for a leveller.

Fulham struggled to a 1-0 home win over fourth-tier Cambridge United at a half-full Craven Cottage, with Emile Smith Rowe netting the only goal in the 66th minute from Timothy Castagne’s cross after Raúl Jiménez's volley was saved.

Wrexham advanced to the fourth round for the first time since 1977-78 with a 2-0 home win over Reading, striker Nathan Broadhead scoring both goals.