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

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Southampton boss Will Still has revealed how Hugo Ekitike predicted he would be a scoring substitute on the night as Liverpool won 2-1 at Anfield in the Carabao Cup third round.

The French striker emerged for the second half with the Reds 1-0 up thanks to Alexander Isak's first goal for the club.

But the Premier League leaders were pegged back by Shea Charles' goal before Ekitike tapped in a late winner for Arne Slot's side.

Ekitike, who was sent off immediately after celebrating his winner for removing his shirt while on a yellow card, played under Still during their time together at Reims.

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And the Belgian-born coach explained the details of a pre-match conversation between the pair, where Liverpool's No.22 said he would come on the score.

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

"We caught up before the game and he said he would come on and score and give me his shirt and bugger off!

"We sold him to PSG for 50m (euros) so we knew he had a lot about him.

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

Still, who Southampton side have struggled in the Championship since the relegation last season, added: "I think we are going in the right direction and tonight was progress.

"It is just a shame we have made basic and avoidable mistakes, which overshadows a lot of the good things we did in the first half.

"Our organisation, our threat, we showed a bit of personality.

"We had a massive chance, hit the crossbar, somehow not the ball in the back of the net and 30-40 seconds they have gone up the other end and we have put it in on a plate for them.

"It sums up our season so far.

We seem to keep shooting ourselves in the foot.

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"But I am happy with the collective, happy with a lot of players but there is no denying we need to eradicate those mistakes we are making."