Hugo Ekitike’s Celebration Backfires as Liverpool Edge Southampton

Anfield was rocking, the noise deafening, and Hugo Ekitike looked every bit the hero. The big-money summer signing had just slotted home Federico Chiesa’s cross to hand Liverpool a dramatic late winner against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.

But within seconds, the night took a bizarre twist.

Caught up in the emotion, Ekitike tore off his shirt in celebration, raising it triumphantly to the crowd. The problem? He was already carrying a yellow card. Referee Thomas Bramall didn’t hesitate — out came a second booking, then the red. In an instant, Liverpool’s match-winner became the centre of unwanted drama.

The reactions told the story. Jeremie Frimpong clutched his head in disbelief, while the home crowd shifted from sheer jubilation to stunned silence, some laughing, others shaking their heads at the chaos.

Liverpool still held on for a 2–1 victory and a place in the fourth round, but the consequences were clear. Ekitike will now sit out the upcoming Premier League clash with Crystal Palace through suspension.

Manager Arne Slot described the striker’s reaction as “understandable but costly,” while teammate Alexander Isak — who had opened the scoring earlier — was more sympathetic: “It’s emotion, it happens. He’ll learn from it.”

Despite the mishap, Ekitike’s start to life at Anfield has been encouraging, with five goals in his first eight outings. Yet this incident has raised concerns over his discipline, something Liverpool will need under control if they are to compete strongly this season.

For now, though, the headlines will be about the moment a match-winner’s joy turned to regret in the blink of an eye.