Hugo Ekitike could face a harsh punishment after being sent off against Southampton despite already having received a one-match ban.
Ekitike, 23, endured a turbulent evening at Anfield against the Saints on Tuesday evening.
Liverpool progressed to the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 2-1 victory against the south coast side and made hard work of what many expected to be a routine victory.
With the score at 1-1, Federico Chiesa latched on to Andrew Robertson’s long ball before setting up a tap-in for Ekitike to make it 2-1 with just over five minutes to play.
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After registering his fifth goal for the Reds since his summer switch from Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekitike proceeded to take off his shirt before holding it up to the Kop, showing his name and number 22.
Liverpool right-back Jeremie Frimpong appeared to realise that this warranted a second yellow card for Ekitike, meaning he was then sent off by referee Thomas Bramall, having earlier received a booking for punching the ball in frustration after he gave a free-kick away.
As a result, he will be suspended for Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.
After the match, head coach Arne Slot branded Ekitike's actions as “needless”.
Slot told Sky Sports: "I told him that if you score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner, I can maybe understand. He is like, 'This is all about me, what did I do?'."
He added: “If I scored a goal like this, I'd have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and said, 'This goal is all about you, this is not about me'.”
Harsh words from Slot and a one-match suspension may be a sufficient punishment for Ekitike’s sending off, but he may be disciplined further.
A report from the Mail suggests that the Frenchman’s lack of discipline may result in him being fined two weeks’ wages – although this is yet to be officially confirmed.
If so, Ekitike may miss out on nearly £500,000 according to Capology’s estimates.
Hugo Ekitike responds to Southampton red card
Following the match, Ekitike took to Instagram and offered an apology via his story.
"I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match,” he wrote.
“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 securing the victory. #Reds.”
Topics: Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool, Carabao Cup, Arne Slot, Premier League, Football
Luke Davies