The games Hugo Ekitike will miss for Liverpool after ‘sheer stupidity’ vs Southampton

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Hugo Ekitike was sent off during Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory against Southampton after a bizarre rush of blood to the head.

The striker has been in red-hot form since joining Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £70million deal, scoring five goals already for his new club.

He was the Reds’ hero at Anfield on Tuesday night after scoring the last-gasp winner against the Championship opponents, but was then shown a second yellow card.

While celebrating his goal, Ekitike removed his shirt in sheer ecstasy and held it up to the crowd. However, he had already gone into the book, meaning he was dismissed.

Arne Slot looked bewildered on the touchline and Jeremie Frimpong tried his best to warn him that he was already on a caution, but it was too late, and he will now serve out a suspension.

Which games will Hugo Ekitike miss

It has been confirmed that Hugo Ekitike will sit out one game after his costly red card.

There was initial confusion about whether the 23-year-old would miss the fourth round of the Carabao Cup or the next Premier League fixture.

But the rule was changed in recent seasons, and Ekitike will therefore be absent for Liverpool’s top-flight match against Crystal Palace this weekend.

Carabao Cup yellow cards will accumulate during cup games, while red card suspensions are served immediately in the next match, regardless of the competition.

Ekitike’s head loss will present an opportunity for Alexander Isak, who played the first 45 minutes against Southampton and scored as he looks to return to full sharpness.

Chris Sutton says Hugo Ekitike red card was ‘sheer stupidity’

Chris Sutton was in disbelief after the sending off, and he did not hold back when delivering his verdict.

“For Ekitike to get a second yellow card for that (taking his shirt off) is just sheer stupidity, and he’ll now miss the league game against Crystal Palace,” Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He’s been such an important player for Liverpool so far this season, what a start to his Liverpool career, important goal this evening, but that’s not great for Arne Slot if he’s sitting out the game at the weekend.”

The fight for the lone No 9 spot has been bubbling nicely this season, but Ekitike will now have to take a step back and watch £125million man Isak look to stake his claim at the weekend.