Hugo Ekitike has spoken out after Liverpool boss Arne Slot slammed his "stupid" and "needless" red card against Southampton.
Ekitike, 23, has made a flying start to his Liverpool career and continued his impressive form with the winner in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the Saints in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
The Frenchman tapped home Federico Chiesa's cross in the 85th minute to seal another late victory for Slot's side, after Southampton's Shea Charles had minutes earlier cancelled out Alexander Isak's opener - his first goal for Liverpool since joining in a £125m move from Newcastle earlier this summer.
Ekitike has now scored five goals in his first eight games for the Reds.
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However, after scoring the winner, Ekitike inexplicably removed his shirt to celebrate despite having already been booked for dissent shortly after half-time.
Referee Thomas Bramall had no choice but to issue Ekitike a second yellow card, with Slot visibly frustrated with his striker after the incident. Fortunately for Liverpool, it did not have an impact on the result as they saw out the final few minutes with 10 men.
Rather than missing Liverpool's next Carabao Cup match, Ekitike will be suspended for his side's next Premier League game away to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
What did Arne Slot say about Hugo Ekitike?
Speaking after the game, Slot struggled to hide his frustration with Ekitike.
"Needless? Yes. And it was stupid. The first one was already needless and to a certain extent, stupid, as you have got to control your emotions," said Slot.
"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'.
"But I am old-fashioned, I'm 47 and old. I never played at this level but did score a few goals and 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'.
"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."
Hugo Ekitike issues statement after red card
Former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike, who joined Liverpool in a £78.4m move from the German club this summer, issued an apology to supporters after the match at Anfield.
Taking to Instagram, he wrote: "I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match. 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 team-mates for securing the victory. #Reds."
Ekitike will now miss this weekend's trip to Selhurst Park but will be available for selection for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Galatasaray in Istanbul.
Liverpool then face rivals Chelsea in the Premier League the following Saturday, with the French striker returning from his domestic suspension.
Topics: Arne Slot, Liverpool, Carabao Cup, Football, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan