Liverpool edged past Southampton 2-1 in the Carabao Cup fourth round, with a late goal from Hugo Ekitiké securing a narrow victory for Arne Slot’s side. However, the win was marred by the French striker’s needless red card after celebrating his late goal with a shirtless display, which left a sour note on an otherwise thrilling match.
It was a far from straightforward night for the Premier League leaders, with Southampton causing problems throughout the game. The visitors had several chances, including a golden opportunity when Adam Armstrong hit the crossbar and Léo Scienza missed an open header from five yards out. Liverpool made them pay moments later when Alexander Isak opened his account for the club. The £125m striker latched onto a poor pass from Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, sweeping in a first-time finish past the keeper to give Liverpool the lead.
However, Southampton equalized late in the second half when Shea Charles converted from close range after a defensive mix-up. Just as the match seemed destined for extra time, Liverpool’s persistence paid off. Andy Robertson sent a brilliant ball over the top to Federico Chiesa, whose perfect delivery allowed Ekitiké to slot the ball into an empty net, securing a vital victory for Liverpool.
The goal, however, was overshadowed by Ekitiké’s celebration. After removing his shirt to celebrate, he was promptly shown a second yellow card, much to the frustration of his manager, Arne Slot. Slot did not hold back in his criticism of the young forward, calling his actions “stupid” and “needless.” While Slot acknowledged the excitement that comes with scoring a late winner, he emphasized the importance of controlling emotions and not letting them affect the team’s performance.
Ekitiké later apologized for his actions, expressing regret for letting his emotions get the better of him. His red card means he will miss Liverpool’s upcoming match against Crystal Palace, a setback for the team as they look to maintain their strong start to the season.
Liverpool’s win continues their impressive run, with six consecutive victories in all competitions. Despite the drama, Slot will take heart from his team’s resilience, but he will certainly be looking for more discipline from his players going forward.
