Tuesday evening was playing a meeting of the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup (the English League Cup) opposing Liverpool to Southampton, 19th of Championship. In view of a busy calendar, Arne Slot decided to run by leaving Hugo Ekitike on the bench, however in large shape on the side of the Reds, to the detriment of the flagship recruit Alexander Isak. Released at halftime, the Swedish still finished the scorer meeting, opening his counter in his new team. Hugo Ekitike then returned to the game, at 1-0 for Liverpool.
Southampton wakes up and returns to the match by scoring the 1-1 in the 76th minute, but the joy was only short-lived for the saints. The French striker continues his beautiful series with Liverpool (5 goals in 8 games) and delivers Anfield in the 85th minute after an offering by Federico Chiesa, double decisive passer.
Very happy to help his team win the match, Ekitike then got carried away during his celebration. The former Parisian removes his jersey and brandishes him in front of the supporters. Problem, the attacker already had a yellow card for dispute. The rule is strict: number 22 is excluded by the referee for a second card. A totally avoidable act which caused the black anger of his coach Arne Slot.
Slot: “Useless and stupid”
Asked about this exclusion at a press conference, the Dutch tactician strongly criticized the celebration of his player. “It was a useless and stupid fault”first launched Slot, who continues his criticism without detour: “I told him that if you score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after having dominated three players and sent a shot in the Lacarne, there I can understand that you get stuck. »»
Ironic on the situation, Arne Slot still did not chew her words. “I'm old game. I am 47 years old, I may be old. I did not play at this level but I scored a few goals. And if I had scored such a goal, I would have turned to Federico Chiesa and I would have said: “This goal is for you, not for me”. So yes, useless, not intelligent. »» Ekitike then apologized on
Instagram By writing a text on a red background. “I was so excited to help the team get a new victory home for my first Carabo Cup game … The emotion took over me. My apologies to the whole Reds family. »»
Despite the defeat, the coach of Southampton Will Still was delighted with this fact of play, he who knew the French international during his time on the bench at the Stade de Reims. “Hugo Ekitike makes me laugh, he's a funny guy. We crossed into before the match and he told me that he was going to get into play, score a goal and then give me his jersey and get out of what he did exactly. Bravo to him. »» In any case, despite the damage on the side of Liverpool in the face of the next club's deadlines, this gesture will remain memories.
