Arne Slot slams Liverpool star as Southampton victory gets marred by player’s ‘stupid’ actions. The third round of the Carabao Cup saw the Premier League champions play hosts in a narrow 2-1 win.
Alexander Isak opened the scoring with his first goal since joining the club with Shea Charles equalising for the Saints. Hugo Ekitike who has recently earned praise, then scored the winner to take Liverpool to the next round.
Having made 11 changes to the lineup that faced Everton on Saturday, Slot’s men put in a far from perfect performance. But his young side has been delivering when the time comes with a series of late winners in recent games.
But it was what happened after the winning goal that earned Slot’s wrath.
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Arne Slot slams Liverpool star for his ‘stupid’ actions
Credit: Imago Images
Having received a yellow earlier in the half, Ekitike was on the edge. But he got caught up in the moment of scoring the winner and took off his shirt. He displayed it in front of the Kop only to be shown his second yellow and a subsequent red.
Speaking after the game Slot said, “It is not because it was his second (yellow), it’s stupid even if you haven’t had a yellow card yet.”
He also emphasised how it impacts their next fixture, “It was stupid, not smart in every sense. The good thing is that his team-mates helped him to get the win over the line, but the thing is he is now suspended for Saturday and that is far from ideal.”
Ekitike’s loss is Isak’s gain
With Ektike now ruled out of the trip to Crystal Palace, Alexander Isak may find a spot in the starting XI. The Swede may now be lock in for Saturday having earned a spot against the Saints.
His other starts has also been in a cup competition, having played close to an hour against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. In the Premier League he has made just one appearance, coming off the bench against Everton.
