Liverpool fans were still buzzing with excitement after their team produced another late victory at Anfield in the Carabao Cup, but that joy was quickly mixed with confusion, drama, and frustration because of Hugo Ekitike’s strange red card celebration. The French striker, who joined Liverpool in the summer for a massive £79million from Eintracht Frankfurt, was supposed to be the hero of the night after scoring the winner against Southampton. Instead, he became the centre of controversy because just seconds after his goal, he ripped off his shirt in celebration, forgetting that he had already been booked earlier in the match. The referee had no choice but to show him a second yellow card, followed by the red, and Ekitike’s celebrations turned into heartbreak in an instant. Now the young striker will miss Liverpool’s next Premier League clash away to Crystal Palace this weekend, and that has created another layer of drama for manager Arne Slot, who is already managing the minutes of his other big signing Alexander Isak.
The whole night at Anfield was filled with tension, energy, and the kind of drama that Liverpool supporters know very well. When Ekitike came on at half-time to replace Isak, the game was still finely balanced. Liverpool had taken the lead through Isak earlier, but Southampton had fought back bravely, and the match looked like it was heading for extra-time. Then, with just five minutes left, Federico Chiesa created the moment of magic, sliding the ball across the box for Ekitike to calmly finish. The roar inside Anfield was deafening. Fans jumped, players ran to celebrate, and Ekitike, full of adrenaline and passion, pulled off his shirt and raised it in the air to the Kop. For him, it was a moment of joy, the kind of celebration that strikers dream about when they score late winners in front of their new fans. But football has rules, and this one is very clear. The referee Thomas Bramall had already booked him in the 53rd minute for dissent, and when he saw Ekitike’s shirtless celebration, he had no choice. Out came the second yellow card, then the red. The stadium that had just erupted in celebration was suddenly stunned in silence. Jeremie Frimpong was even seen running up to Ekitike, pointing at him as if to say, “Brother, you already had a yellow, why would you do that?”
It was a moment that summed up the unpredictable nature of football. Heroes can become villains in seconds, and joy can turn into confusion in the blink of an eye. For Liverpool fans, the victory was sweet because it sent them through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but they also left Anfield shaking their heads at the needless suspension of their new striker. Instead of serving his ban in the next Carabao Cup game, the rules mean that Ekitike will miss the upcoming Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, a much more important match. That decision could have a big impact on Arne Slot’s plans because Ekitike has been in outstanding form since arriving in England.
The 23-year-old Frenchman has settled quickly at Liverpool, showing why the club paid so much money for him. He scored on his debut in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, then found the net in his first Premier League appearance against Bournemouth, and followed it up with another goal against Newcastle. Just last weekend, he also scored in the Merseyside derby against Everton, making it five goals in his first eight games for the Reds. His speed, strength, and finishing ability have given Liverpool’s attack a new dimension, and fans are already beginning to fall in love with him. But this red card has reminded everyone that he is still young, still emotional, and still learning how to manage his passion on the big stage.
For Alexander Isak, the red card of his teammate may turn into an opportunity. The Swedish striker, who cost Liverpool £130million from Newcastle United in the summer, has yet to start a Premier League game for the Reds because Slot and his staff have been carefully managing his minutes. He didn’t have a proper pre-season with Newcastle before moving to Anfield, and the coaching staff don’t want to risk injuries by overloading him. So far, Isak has been playing mostly in the Carabao Cup and as a substitute in league matches, but with Ekitike suspended for the Palace game, Isak is now likely to make his first league start for Liverpool. Speaking after the game, Isak showed support for Ekitike, saying, “I’m sure he just wasn’t aware he was on a yellow in that moment. It can be emotional when you score a goal in that moment, so it is unfortunate.” His words were calm and understanding, showing that there is no bad blood between the two strikers, even though they are competing for the same spot in the team.
Arne Slot now faces an interesting decision. On one hand, he has seen how effective Ekitike has been with his goals, but on the other hand, he must continue to build Isak’s fitness and confidence because Liverpool paid such a high price for him. In many ways, the suspension of Ekitike has forced the manager’s hand. He will almost certainly start Isak at Selhurst Park, and fans will be eager to see how the Swedish forward performs in a league game from the beginning. Palace away is never an easy match, but it is the kind of fixture where Liverpool need their star strikers to deliver.
Ekitike’s story is one of both promise and warning. He came to Liverpool with high expectations, and so far, he has shown that he can deliver the goals and the excitement. But this red card has raised questions about his discipline and maturity. In modern football, players must learn to control their emotions because one small decision can cost their team. Celebrations are part of the game, and fans love to see passion from their players, but when that passion turns into a red card, it becomes costly. Liverpool cannot afford to have their big-money striker missing key games because of avoidable mistakes. This is a lesson that Ekitike will have to learn quickly if he wants to succeed long-term at Anfield.
The reaction from fans after the game was a mix of laughter, frustration, and support. Some supporters joked that he looked like a FIFA video game player who forgot the rules, while others defended him by saying that the moment was too emotional and anyone would have done the same. Many fans, however, pointed out that Frimpong’s reaction said it all – his teammate literally ran to him to remind him that he had a yellow already, but by then it was too late. Social media was full of memes, jokes, and heated debates. Some fans even said they preferred seeing Ekitike show passion and score goals, even if it meant a silly suspension, because it shows how much he cares about playing for Liverpool. Others were harsher, saying that in big clubs, discipline matters, and he needs to grow up fast.
For Arne Slot, this season is about balancing the new faces with the old core. Ekitike and Isak are both new arrivals, and their integration into the squad is key for Liverpool’s success. The manager has already impressed fans with his ability to get results, like this late win over Southampton, but the real test will be in the Premier League. Missing Ekitike against Palace will be a blow, but Liverpool fans know their team has options, and they will be watching closely to see if Isak can now step up. If the Swedish striker scores, the conversation might shift quickly from Ekitike’s red card to Isak’s breakthrough.
In football, stories like this often define a player’s early reputation at a new club. Ekitike has already built a reputation as a goal-scorer, but now he has added another label – the striker who got sent off for celebrating. It’s a reminder of how fine the margins are in football. For him, the lesson is clear: channel the passion, but don’t lose control. For Liverpool, the challenge is to keep the momentum going without one of their new stars. And for the fans, the drama continues, because at Anfield, there is never a dull moment.
As the days count down to the Palace game, all eyes will be on Isak and Slot’s team selection. Ekitike will have to watch from the stands, serving his suspension, probably kicking himself for that split-second decision that turned him from hero to red card villain. But this is football, and there will always be another chance, another goal, and another celebration. Next time, he will surely keep his shirt on.
