Newcomers night – Isak’s debut goal and Ekitike’s foolish celebration

From the very start, based on the competition, the teams involved, and even the matchday itself, expectations were low that this clash would deliver much excitement. And that’s exactly how it turned out! Apart from the goals, there was little to talk about in terms of real chances, with Ekitike’s moment of foolishness adding the only bit of spice to an otherwise bland encounter.

Liverpool went into the break 1–0 up against Southampton in their EFL Cup clash, but the opening 45 minutes were anything but one-sided.

Southampton threatened first, with Scienza testing Mamardashvili in the 5th minute, though the Liverpool goalkeeper saved comfortably. A minute later, Armstrong came close with a powerful strike from the left, but Mamardashvili again stood firm.

Liverpool responded in the 24th minute when Isak laid the ball off to Chiesa, whose effort was denied by McCarthy. The visitors then came inches away from taking the lead on 33 minutes, as Manning’s cross nearly found its way in before Joe Gomez intervened brilliantly to prevent what looked like a certain goal.

The Saints’ biggest chance came just before halftime. In the 43rd minute, Armstrong broke through one-on-one with the keeper, chipped his shot over Mamardashvili, but saw it crash off the crossbar. The rebound fell to Scienza, who incredibly headed wide with the goal gaping.

And as so often happens in football, Southampton’s wastefulness was punished immediately. A mistake by McCarthy gifted possession to Chiesa, who set up Isak, and the striker calmly slotted home to give Liverpool a 1–0 lead at the interval. The goal is HERE!

The second half at Anfield started slowly, with little action until the 66th minute when Ekitike tried his luck from distance. His effort was far off target, but it marked the first real attempt after the restart.

Southampton then shocked the hosts in the 76th minute. A corner delivery seemed harmless, but Endo made a dreadful mistake by heading the ball back into his own box. The visitors reacted quickly, and after a sharp exchange, Charles slotted home to bring the Saints level at 1–1. The goal is HERE!

Just three minutes later, Ekitike had a golden opportunity to restore Liverpool’s lead. Left completely unmarked just five yards out, he connected with a header but sent it wide of the post.

Liverpool eventually broke through in the 85th minute with a beautifully constructed move. Robertson picked out Chiesa with a precise ball, the Italian controlled superbly before setting up Ekitike, who tapped in to make it 2–1. The goal is HERE!

The drama didn’t end there: in the heat of celebration, Ekitike removed his shirt—forgetting he was already on a yellow card. The referee showed him a second yellow, followed by a red, turning Liverpool’s goalscoring hero into a dismissal case within seconds.

EFL CUP - ROUND 3

Tuesday

Barnsley - Brighton 0-6 (0-3)

/Gomez 9, 21, 33, 68, Howell 87, Ayari 89/

Burnley - Cardiff 1-2 (0-2)

/Flemming 56 - Colwill 30, Robinson 35/

Fulham - Cambridge 1-0 (0-0)

/Smith Rowe 66/

Lincoln City - Chelsea 1-2 (1-0)

/Street 42 - George 48, Buonanotte 50/

Wigan - Wycombe 0-2 (0-1)

/Boyd-Munce 32, McNeilly 62/

Wolverhampton - Everton 2-0 (1-0)

/Munetsi 29,  Arokodare 87/

Wrexham - Reading 2-0 (0-0)

/Broadhead 57, 70/

Liverpool - Southampton 2-1 (1-0)

/Isak 43, Ekitike 85 - Charles 76/

Wednesday

21.45: (19.0) Huddersfield (8.50) Man.City (1.13)

21.45: (1.10) Newcastle (11.0) Bradford (18.0)

21.45: (1.15) Tottenham (7.75) Doncaster (19.0)

22.00: (18.0) Port Vale (11.0) Arsenal (1.10)

***odds are subject to change***