Slot to Ekitike: "And then you go and spoil it all by doing something stupid!"

We all saw that bizarre red card Hugo Ekitike picked up after scoring a goal against Southampton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night. The young forward got his second yellow for taking off his shirt in a goal celebration, which led to a dismissal.

Speaking after the match, Liverpool boss Arne Slot openly discussed the incident, criticizing the 23-year-old striker for being baffled by Ekitike's red card.

"It is not [stupid] because it was his second [yellow] - it's stupid even if you haven't had a yellow card yet," he said.

"Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I did score a few goals - not at his level, but I did - and if I went past three players and put it in the top corner, then maybe you can say: 'This is all about me.'

"But if I scored a goal like he did tonight, I would turn to Chiesa and say: 'It's about you Federico - great assist, great run and I didn't have to do a lot.' Maybe that's me being old-school.

"It was stupid, not smart in every sense. The good thing is that his teammates helped him to get the win over the line, but the thing is, he is now suspended for Saturday and that is far from ideal."

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

Ekitike himself went on social media on Tuesday night to apologise, saying: "I was so excited to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match.

"The emotion got the better of me. My apologies to all the Red family. Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my teammates for this victory!"

Interestingly, Southampton manager Will Still, who worked with Ekitike at Reims, also shared his thoughts about the red card and the player:

"Hugo cracks me up, he's a funny lad.

"We caught up before the game, and he said he'd come on and score, give me a shirt and bugger off, which is exactly what he's done," concluded Still.

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***