Liverpool 2–1 Southampton: Ekitike Scores Then Sees Red, Suspended for Palace

Key Takeaways:

• Hugo Ekitike received two yellow cards in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Southampton on Tuesday night
• The French forward will miss Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League fixture at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon
• Ekitike will be eligible for the Champions League match against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday and the visit to Chelsea next weekend

Match Recap at Anfield

Hugo Ekitike is set to serve a ban for Liverpool after being sent off during the Carabao Cup third round encounter with Southampton on Tuesday night. Alexander Isak began the contest but was replaced by Ekitike at the interval by Arne Slot. Ekitike was cautioned a mere eight minutes after entering the fray, having expressed dissent following referee Thomas Bramall’s award of a free-kick against him. Frustrated by the decision, the striker punched the ball away, resulting in a yellow card.

At that stage, Liverpool were ahead 1-0 courtesy of an Isak goal prior to the break, assisted by Federico Chiesa. The visitors equalised in the 76th minute thanks to Shea Charles, yet Liverpool reclaimed the lead shortly afterwards as Chiesa turned provider again, assisting Ekitike for a close-range finish from six yards.

Hugo Ekitike forgot that he had already received a yellow card and took off his shirt right after scoring a goal.

A moment later, he looked at the second yellow cardboard box and flew off the field. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
pic.twitter.com/9K8WBGTp2A

— Epic Red Cards (@epicredcards) September 23, 2025

Ekitike’s Dismissal and Immediate Aftermath

Immediately after scoring, the 23-year-old forward celebrated by taking off his shirt and holding it up to the Anfield faithful. This act proved costly, as Jeremie Frimpong approached Ekitike with a knowing look before referee Bramall brandished a second yellow card. Ekitike was consequently dismissed, leaving Liverpool with ten men for the final four minutes plus stoppage time. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Reds managed to see out the match and book their place in the fourth round.

Suspension Details and Return Dates

Ekitike’s suspension means he will sit out Liverpool’s next domestic fixture – an away match at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. Under current regulations, red card bans apply to the subsequent domestic match, regardless of whether it is in the league or a cup competition. The French forward will, however, be available for selection in Liverpool’s Champions League contest at Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday, as well as the showdown with Chelsea the following weekend.

Manager’s Verdict

After the final whistle, Arne Slot criticised Ekitike’s actions, stating: “Needless? Yes, and it was stupid. It was. In the first one, it was already needless and, to a certain extent, stupid, as you have got to control your emotions.

“I know how hard it is if you play in the Premier League if you’re a number nine. The defender can almost do everything he wants and when you shirt pull or push him a little bit, you get a free-kick against you.

“It’s always the best to control your emotions. If you can’t, do it in a way that doesn’t lead to a yellow card.”

On the second booking, Slot commented: “It is not [stupid] because it was his second [yellow] – it’s stupid even if you haven’t had a yellow card yet.

“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 team-mates 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.”

Key Match Statistics