Hugo Ekitike will serve a suspension for Liverpool after being sent off in the League Cup third round tie against Southampton on Tuesday night Alexander Isak started the match, but Arne Slot substituted the striker at half-time, with Ekitike coming on.
The substitute received a yellow card eight minutes after coming on for dissent after referee Thomas Bramall awarded a free-kick against him. Ekitike punched the ball away after being penalised, resulting in a booking forthcoming.
Liverpool led 1-0 at the time through an Isak goal just before the break that Federico Chiesa assisted. However, Southampton equalised in the 76th minute thanks to Shea Charles, but the Reds bounced back within ten minutes, as Chiesa tee’d up Ekitike from point-blank range this time.
After tapping in barely six yards out, the 23-year-old wheeled away and almost immediately took off his shirt. After removing it, Ekitike held it up and showed it to the crowd at Anfield.
However, it was the player’s last involvement in the match. Jeremie Frimpong was first over to Ekitike and his facial expression alone made clear that he knew what was about to come.
Bramall was also aware of that and produced a second yellow card to send Ekitike off with four minutes plus added time remaining. The Reds held on in his absence and are through to the fourth round.
However, the consequences for Ekitike will extend to Liverpool’s next match, which is away against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. Players serve red card suspensions in whatever the forthcoming domestic game is, regardless of whether that is a league or cup fixture.
Ekitike will therefore be unavailable at Selhurst Park this weekend. However, the France international can return to the fold for their Champions League match versus Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday and the trip to play Chelsea next weekend.
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