Why Liverpool teammate will still be raging after Hugo Ekitike's 'stupid' red card
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Credit: Imago / Sky Sports
Harri Burton
Thu 25 September 2025 16:50, UK
Hugo Ekitike stole the headlines against Southampton for all the wrong reasons after the Liverpool star was sent off.
Ekitike received a second yellow card for taking his shirt off at Anfield, with the Frenchman getting caught up in the emotion of scoring the winner in the final five minutes on Tuesday, 23 September.
Alexander Isak scored his first Liverpool goal, which was cancelled out by Shea Charles, and the Saints had several chances to secure a surprise victory in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Despite netting the winner, Arne Slot was far from impressed with his substitute striker, who could not even last 45 minutes on the pitch.
The manager called the incident “stupid” by his player.
One of his teammates will be especially frustrated with the situation, though.
Federico Chiesa notched both assists on the night, putting in one of his best performances, if not the best, since signing from Juventus two summers ago.
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His career in England has been ripped apart by injuries and an inability to break back into the first team, but he grabbed his chance to shine by the scruff of the neck when facing Southampton.
Even after grabbing two assists, including for Ekitike’s winner, it feels as though very few supporters are focusing on his impact during the game, and far more is being said about the goalscorer.
Federico Chiesa vs SouthamptonStats [as per FotMob]Minutes played90Assists2Big chances created4Touches in opposition box13Ground duels won62% (5/8)Federico Chiesa’s performance by numbers.
Instead of celebrating with his teammate, who put the ball on a plate for him, he made the situation all about himself, and it should take a little bit of time for Chiesa to forgive him for that.
Chiesa has been included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad, but only after Giovanni Leoni suffered a devastating injury, and a lot is being said about his future in England.
Football Insider understands that Isak’s arrival could push Chiesa out as soon as the January transfer window, and that would be a very sorry end to his journey after such a difficult 2024-25 season.
With Mohamed Salah given a full rest ahead of facing Crystal Palace on Saturday, 27 September, there is no doubt that his understudy will be sent back to the bench despite his star-studded performance.
The Carabao Cup was a huge chance for Chiesa to prove himself, and he certainly did that.