Liverpool manager Arne Slot issued a blistering criticism of Hugo Ekitiké’s post-goal celebration that earned the striker a red card—despite netting the winner in a 2–1 Carabao (League) Cup victory over Southampton. The controversy has cast a spotlight on discipline, emotions, and accountability within the squad at a delicate moment in the season.
The drama unfolded deep into the 85th minute, when Ekitiké, having come on as a half-time substitute for Alexander Isak, tapped home a cross from Federico Chiesa to restore Liverpool’s lead after Southampton had equalised through Shea Charles. But the joy was short-lived.
Already booked earlier in the match for kicking the ball away in frustration, Ekitiké committed the cardinal sin of removing his shirt in celebration. That act drew a second yellow, leading to a red card—and an immediate suspension for Liverpool’s next Premier League fixture.
At his post-match press conference, Slot did not mince words. “Needless? Yes. And it was stupid,” the Dutchman said. “The first one was already needless and, to a certain extent, stupid, because you have to control your emotions.”
He went on to lament that Ekitiké’s exuberant celebration overshadowed the collective nature of the move, noting that were he to ever score such a goal himself, “I would have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and said, ‘This goal is all about you, this is not about me.’”
Slot’s anger was not merely directed at the action itself but at its timing and significance. He emphasized that, in a competition often decided by small margins and with squad rotation in effect, such lapses of judgment can carry real consequences. “It’s always best to control your emotions. If you can’t, do it in a way that doesn’t lead to a yellow card,” he added.
Behind the firm words lay genuine frustration. Liverpool will now head into their next Premier League tie without one of their in-form forwards, with Isak not yet fully match fit.
Slot acknowledged the setback, but framed it as an avoidable one. “I told him that if you score in a Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players … I can maybe understand. But I am old-fashioned, 47, and old. If I scored a goal like this, I would have done differently.”
Ekitiké, for his part, responded swiftly and contritely on social media. In a message to supporters, he wrote: “I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory … The emotion got the better of me tonight. My apologies to all the Red family. Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my teammates for this victory.”
Though the red card could have derailed things entirely, Liverpool managed to cling to their lead despite riding out the final minutes with ten men. The win secured their passage into the fourth round of the League Cup, but the narrative from the night is now dominated by what might best be described as self-inflicted damage.
The episode is especially striking considering how Ekitiké had burst into life since his arrival, quickly embedding himself as an attacking option for Slot’s side. His form had offered Liverpool more attacking depth, especially with the high-profile summer signing of Isak expected to take time to reach full fitness.
Arne Slot had some things to say about Hugo Ekitike’s red card ️ pic.twitter.com/gpEq9i5Lvi
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) September 24, 2025
Notably, Slot has previously been in the spotlight himself: earlier this season, he was handed a suspension and fine after a heated confrontation with a referee during a match with Everton, following a stoppage-time equalizer. That conflict drew criticism and a punitive response from the FA. This past history perhaps lends further weight to his intolerance for errors that hurt his team.
Liverpool captain Andy Robertson, speaking after the match, echoed the manager’s sentiment, calling the red card “silly” and suggesting it was avoidable. He indicated surprise if Ekitiké were to repeat such behavior. From within the dressing room, the message could hardly have been clearer: passion is welcome, but it must be controlled.