Hugo Ekitike warned by Liverpool team-mate after ‘silly’ red card

He has enjoyed a close to flawless start to life at Liverpool, but £79 million man Hugo Ekitike made a huge error for the Reds in their League Cup triumph again

Liverpool vice-captain Andrew Robertson had a firm message for Hugo Ekitike after his red card vs Southampton

Andrew Robertson has warned “silly” Hugo Ekitike he must learn quickly after his red card nearly cost Liverpool a place in the League Cup. The Frenchman has enjoyed an exceptional start to life at Anfield since his £79 million move from Eintracht Frankfurth this summer.

It was another huge goal for Ekitike, but the striker almost undid his hard work by taking his shirt off in celebration. He forgot he had already been booked earlier in the game for kicking the ball away in frustration, resulting in him being shown a second yellow card, followed by a red.

Team-mate and fellow summer signing Jeremie Frimpong was wide-eyed with fury as he watched Ekitike remove his top. He was not as angry as Slot, who could be seen taking a deep exhale to calm himself down, before ignoring Ekitike as he shuffled off the pitch.

In his post-match interview, Robertson had some stern words for the striker, who has five goals and one assist in his first eight matches in all competitions for the Reds. The Scot said: “I’d be very surprised if he does it again.

“I think scoring a goal is always emotional and you always get that emotion. But he’s obviously just forgotten he’s been booked.

Slot did not embrace Ekitike when he walked off the pitch after the red card(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)

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Slot had been managing the minutes of the ex-Real Sociedad forward, who spent the vast majority of the summer training on his own while trying to force an exit from St. James’ Park.

A matter of minutes after scoring for Liverpool, Slot substituted him off in a bid to manage his minutes. He may not have any choice but to start Isak at Selhurst Park with Ekitike making himself unavailable as a result of his celebration.