Ekitike Apologises To Liverpool Fans After ‘Stupid’ Red Card

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After his late League Cup winner against Southampton, manager Arne Slot criticized him for removing his shirt and apologizing to Liverpool fans.

Five minutes from time, the 23-year-old new signing scored a header to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory over second-tier Southampton as they put on another late show at Anfield on Tuesday.

After opening his account for the club, the France international replaced £125 million ($168 million) Alexander Isak, who had already made his debut.

Hugo Ekitike, a French striker #22 for Liverpool, begins to remove his shirt as he celebrates scoring their second goal at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England, on September 23, 2025, as the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Southampton unfolds. He was then sent off after picking up his second yellow card. (Photo by Paul ELLIS/AFP)

Ekitike’s initial offense was one of being punched away in resentment.

Read more about Isak’s first goal for Liverpool in the League Cup victory over a scared Chelsea.

In the 85th minute, Shea Charles equalized before holding his shirt up for the cameras, but Ekitike drove away from the corner flag and removed his shirt.

The forward will be suspended for the Premier League leaders’ trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday if the referee issued a second caution followed by a red card.

Ekitike, who signed for the club for £69 million in July, claimed he had become enraged.

He shared his excitement on Instagram by posting, “I was so excited tonight to help the team win another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup (League Cup) game.”

He continued, “The emotion got the better of me tonight.” I’m sorry to the Red family.

Arne Slot, a Dutch manager for Liverpool, gestures on the touchline during the Liverpool-Stokes vs. Southampton third-round football game at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England, on September 23, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS/AFP)

Slot, the manager of Liverpool, was clearly unimpressed by Ekitike’s actions in the third-round tie as “needless” and “stupid.”

He said, “I told him that I can understand if you score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner.”

What did I do when he says, “This is all about me, what did I do?”

“But I’m 47 and old, and I’m old-fashioned. Although I’ve never played at this level, I did score a few goals, and if I had, I would have turned around and said to Federico Chiesa, “This goal is all about you, this is not about me.”

With three goals in five Premier League games, Ekitike has a strong start to the season.

However, the Swede is competing for a forward slot with Isak and cannot afford to miss games.