Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike quietly answers Arne Slot red card jibe with word-less new social media post

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Hugo Ekitike’s red card during Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton was one of the most bizarre moments of the season so far.Having come on at half-time, Ekitike soon picked up a needless yellow card for a show of dissent towards the referee.Then, having slotted home a later winner from a terrific Federico Chiesa touch and pass, the Frenchman removed his shirt to earn himself an early bath.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Arne Slot was not happy with Ekitike and let the world know it during his post-match comments.Slot told Ekitike how he should have celebrated the goal, claiming that Chiesa deserved much of the praise having laid the ball on a plate for him.Now, almost one month later, Ekitike has taken to Instagram to offer a salute to his Liverpool teammate.Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty ImagesHugo Ekitike ‘loves’ Federico ChiesaEkitike has proven himself to be a footballer with a huge personality during his short time at Liverpool so far.The 23-year-old is not your average 21st-century player, and supporters are beginning to love him for it.READ MORE: Liverpool could look to Nottingham Forest’s Murillo after losing Marc Guehi advantage – EXCLUSIVEOne of Ekitike’s quirks is that he commandeers a second Instagram account, which is usually reserved for much less formal and more candid posts than his ‘official’ platform.On Thursday, the France international posted on his Instagram stories to share an edited photograph of his celebration against Southampton.The photo shows Ekitike holding his shirt up in front of the Kop, but instead of his name and number on the back, ‘I heart Fede’ is displayed, with a headshot of Chiesa where the number 22 should be.Ekitike does not share any caption on the post, but given Slot’s comments in the immediate aftermath of the game, it does appear to be a quiet – if light-hearted – rebuttal to the Liverpool head coach.What did Slot actually say about Ekitike and Chiesa?Given it is displayed on his ‘second’ Instagram account, it is unlikely Slot will even be aware of Ekitike’s post.However, while a potential answer to some criticism from his boss, this should not be taken in the wrong way.

Ekitike apologised for his red card, and that should have put the matter to bed.Nevertheless, when revisiting Slot’s comments immediately after the Southampton game, it is impossible not to come to the conclusion that this is Ekitike’s response.“Maybe I am a bit old fashioned, a bit old school, but I scored a few goals, not at this level, but I did score a few and if I outplayed three players and then hit it in the top corner, maybe you can say ‘it’s all about me’,” Slot said.“But if I had scored a goal like he did, I would have turned around, walked up to Federico Chiesa and said ‘it’s all about you Federico, great assist, great run, I didn’t have to do a lot.”Belated it may be, but Ekitike has finally done that in the most Ekitike way possible.