Liverpool dressing room view on Hugo Ekitike after forward's 'needless, stupid' move

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballHugo EkitikeHugo Ekitike was sent off in Liverpool's League Cup third-round tie with Southampton last month but the striker has since apologised to his teammatesLiverpool players harbour no ill will towards Hugo Ekitike following the striker's farcial dismissal during last month's League Cup third round clash with Southampton.The substitute was cautioned for dissent just eight minutes after entering the fray when referee Thomas Bramall awarded a free-kick against him. Incensed by the official's decision, Ekitike batted the ball away in frustration, earning himself a yellow card.Alexander Isak's early strike was levelled by Shea Charles, though the Reds restored their advantage inside ten minutes.

Federico Chiesa provided the assist for Ekitike's tap-in, but the 23-year-old was unable to control his elation after scoring.READ MORE: Liverpool star Mohamed Salah told which 'lazy' Man Utd player to target at AnfieldREAD MORE: Liverpool could be without five players for Man Utd clash after two fresh injury issuesThe French striker immediately whipped off his jersey and held it aloft before the Anfield faithful in celebration. Ekitike offered his apologies to his colleagues in the changing room, and according to The Athletic, his contrition was welcomed - they bore him no grudge and everyone moved forward.At that time, Reds manager Arne Slot was critical of the forward, calling the red card "needless" and "stupid"."The first one (yellow card) was already needless and to a certain extent stupid because you have to control your emotions," said Slot.

I know how hard it is if you play in the Premier League and you are a number nine then the defender can almost do everything he wants, and when you push him a little bit you get a free-kick against you."But it is always the best to control your emotions, and if you can't then do it in a way that doesn't lead to a yellow card."So I think I said when I got my red card against Everton that's always stupid because you can show your emotions. But if it leads to a yellow or red then it's, to a certain extent, stupid."Then I told him that if you score in a Champions League final in the 87th minute after beating three players and hitting it in the top corner I can maybe understand you say: 'It's all about me'."But I'm old fashioned, I'm 47, I'm old, and I haven't played at this level but I did score a few goals, and if I scored a goal like this I would have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and say: 'This goal is all about you, this is not about me'."So, yeah, needless, not smart, you call it stupid and I call it stupid."