Hugo Ekitike has apologised to Liverpool fans after his bizarre sending off in the 2-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday night.
The Frenchman came on for Alexander Isak at half-time and proceeded to score a late winner for the Reds, but having already been on a yellow card, he was booked for a second time and given his marching orders for removing his shirt in celebrating the goal.
Jeremie Frimpong looked horrified as he realised that his teammate was about to be sent off, and some pundits castigated the striker for his moment of ‘sheer stupidity’ as he triggered a suspension which now rules him out of the Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Ekitike apologies over red card
A contrite Ekitike took to Instagram roughly an hour after the final whistle to own up to his silly red card, explaining how his emotions ‘got the better of’ him after scoring.
The 23-year-old posted on his story: “I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match. The emotion got the better of me tonight. My apologies to all the Red family.
“Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my teammates [who] secured this victory!”
Hopefully Ekitike will learn from ‘stupid’ dismissal
Arne Slot didn’t hide his disgust with the manner of Ekitike’s dismissal last night, bluntly describing it as ‘stupid’ from the Frenchman (liverpoolfc.com), and there’ll surely be some strong words said in private to go along with the head coach’s public dismay.
We can understand the striker’s frustration over the harsh free kick which was given against him to trigger the moment of dissent leading to the first yellow card, although the reality is that both bookings were quite avoidable, especially the second one after he’d already been on thin ice.
The 23-year-old ought to have shown more awareness in that situation, and it feels galling to lose him for a fiendishly tough fixture over such a needless dismissal – it wasn’t as if he was shown red for a professional foul in taking one for the team.
It’s a lesson for Ekitike to learn the hard way, but hopefully he will learn from it and keep his emotions in check the next time he scores a late winning goal or is annoyed at a decision which goes against him.
Despite his moment of sillness last night, we mustn’t lose sight of what an excellent start he’s had to his Liverpool career, with five goals already in his first eight matches as he makes a wonderfully quick adaptation to English football.
Dear Hugo I speak for many if not all Liverpool fans like myself. Yes it’s frustrating – for you especially I’m sure – but for me I can fully understand your unbridled elation at scoring the winning goal. As far as I’m concerned you’re forgiven. And we’re all immensely grateful for your contributions thus far. Your humility in apologising instantly is appreciated. Some people have said this rule about removing one’s shirt is a stupid rule and should be abolished. I fully agree.
Goodness me if I were 40 years younger (I’m now 67) and I were to score a winning goal for Liverpool at Anfield I’d probably remove my shorts and underpants as well!! Such would be my elation!
Hope this helps.🤣
As a true Liverpool fan Nick, I can understand your sentiment (however tongue-in-cheek).
Unfortunately there’s still a few people in authority that would misrepresent your joke and have you charged with indecency.
In seriousness though, these days a bit more modesty, selflessness and teamwork is very much in vogue.
LFC are not those glory hunters or their copyists from up the other end of the M62.
The right help immediately came from Jeremie after the goal.
He woke Hugo out of his daze.
Arne’s public advice is exactly how Hugo needs to see it.
He should’ve simply gone over to Federico, had a group hug and got on with the game.
He’ll know now what putting that shirt on means and who he’s playing for.
Onwards and upwards for the lad and hopefully a few more well paid young footballers will learn that lesson without getting sent off for something so silly themselves.