Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike will miss his side’s next match against Crystal Palace this weekend after his red card against Southampton.
The French striker scored the winner at Anfield on Tuesday evening in the Carabao Cup with five minutes of the contest remaining, coolly slotting home after being teed up by Federico Chiesa.
Ekitike stripped off his shirt in celebration and was promptly shown a second yellow card and sent off by referee Thomas Bramall.
The former PSG youngster came on at half-time to replace Alexander Isak who scored Liverpool’s opener on the night.
Ekitike was booked after 53 minutes for dissent with a second yellow for removing his shirt sending him on his way.
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Liverpool could have no complaints with Jeremie Frimpong seen running over to his teammate, seemingly reminding him he had already been booked.
It was another late win for Arne Slot’s side who progress to the fourth round after a 2-1 victory.
Rather than missing Liverpool’s next match in the Carabao Cup against an opponent to be determined later this week, Ekitike will be suspended for his side’s next match – away to Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
Ekitike joined the Reds from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79million during the summer transfer window, making an immediate impact with a goal on his debut against Palace in the Community Shield.
He followed that up with a goal on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth and against Newcastle United the following week.
The 23-year-old scored in last weekend’s Merseyside derby victory over Everton to take his tally to five goals in eight games for his new club.
His absence will surely see Isak start his first league match for Liverpool.
Slot and his staff have been carefully managing his minutes since his £130m arrival from Newcastle, having had no pre-season with the Magpies prior to his move.
‘I’m sure he just wasn’t aware he was on a yellow in that moment,’ Isak said of teammate Ekitike.
‘It can be emotional when you score a goal in that moment so it is unfortunate.’