Liverpool manager Arne Slot has publicly criticized Hugo Ekitike following the striker's red card in the Carabao Cup third-round match against Southampton. Ekitike, who came on as a second-half substitute, scored the winning goal in the 2-1 victory but was sent off shortly after for removing his shirt in celebration.

Slot didn't hold back his disappointment, labeling the sending-off as "stupid" and "needless". The manager highlighted that Ekitike had already received a yellow card earlier in the match for dissent, making the subsequent shirt removal even more senseless. "The first one (yellow card) was already needless and to a certain extent stupid because you have to control your emotions," Slot stated. He further explained the challenges faced by Premier League forwards, noting the close attention they receive from defenders, but emphasized the importance of maintaining composure.

The red card means Ekitike will now miss Liverpool's upcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace. This creates a selection headache for Slot, especially considering Alexander Isak's recent return from a period of striking from Newcastle during pre-season to force a move. Slot has previously mentioned that Isak is still working to achieve full match fitness after his absence from competitive football.

The Liverpool boss also used the incident to highlight what he considers appropriate behavior after scoring, recounting that he would turn to Federico Chiesa and say "This goal is all about you, this is not about me". Slot said that he would only understand taking off your shirt if you "score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner".

Ekitike has since apologized for his actions, acknowledging that his emotions got the better of him. He expressed his excitement about contributing to the team's victory in his first Carabao Cup match but admitted his mistake. "I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match," Ekitike posted on Instagram.

The incident has sparked debate among fans and pundits, with some criticizing Ekitike's lack of judgment and others pointing out the strict enforcement of the shirt-removal rule. Chris Sutton described the red card as "sheer stupidity," emphasizing the importance of Ekitike to Liverpool's early-season form. Some have suggested that Ekitike's actions were motivated by the pressure of competing with Alexander Isak for a starting position.

Despite the setback, Liverpool continues to display strong form, winning all of their games so far this season. Slot, however, maintains that there is still room for improvement, especially given the demanding fixture schedule. Liverpool faces a busy period with matches in the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup, requiring Slot to manage his squad carefully.