Liverpool fans were still celebrating their late victory over Southampton when the shocking drama began to unfold. The night was supposed to be one of joy, with Hugo Ekitike scoring the winning goal that sealed Liverpool’s passage into the next round of the Carabao Cup. Anfield had roared in celebration, the fans jumped in excitement, and the French striker looked like he had finally announced himself as a Liverpool player. But in the blink of an eye, the celebration turned into a nightmare. Instead of being the hero of the night, Ekitike found himself walking down the tunnel, head bowed, after being sent off for one of the most controversial celebrations Liverpool fans had ever seen.
The moment is still fresh in the minds of supporters. Ekitike, full of adrenaline, ripped off his shirt after scoring, holding it up to the crowd in a gesture made famous by Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou. The Anfield crowd roared louder, taking it as a moment of pride. But referee Thomas Bramall was not impressed. Ekitike had already been booked earlier in the game, and his celebration handed the referee no choice but to show him the red card. Liverpool had their winning goal, but their goalscorer had been dismissed.
For a 23-year-old who had just made the move from Paris Saint-Germain for £69 million, this was not the start he had imagined. Instead of walking off as a hero, he became the subject of heated debates, criticism, and even punishment from his own club. Arne Slot, Liverpool’s new manager, was furious. He admitted later that in private he told Ekitike that the celebration was “needless” and “stupid.” Slot, known for his calm and disciplined style, could not believe that his striker risked the team’s momentum with such recklessness. The Dutch coach explained that there are times to let emotions take over, but this wasn’t one of them. “If you score in a Champions League final, after dribbling three defenders and hitting the top corner in the 87th minute, maybe I’d understand. But this was not the moment,” Slot said.
Behind closed doors, the punishment for Ekitike was quickly decided. According to reports from the Daily Mail, Liverpool were ready to dock him two weeks’ wages as punishment for his sending off. With his weekly salary sitting at £200,000, this meant a fine of £400,000. A punishment that immediately divided the Liverpool fanbase. Some supporters believed the club was right, arguing that such reckless behavior needed to be punished. Others thought it was too harsh, pointing out that he had literally scored the winning goal that sent Liverpool through.
On social media, the reactions exploded. Some fans fumed: “Losing £400k for a red card is diabolical. He scored the winner, this fine makes no sense.” Another added: “Surely this is false. Can’t be true. But if it is, then it’s a poor decision by the club. Not right at all.” But others defended Slot and the decision. “Fair enough. He’s on £200k a week, he’ll be fine. He needs to learn discipline. This will show him,” one supporter wrote. Another added: “It sounds harsh but he let the team down. Now we don’t have him for the next game. That could cost us in the league.”
And that is exactly where the next big problem lies. Ekitike’s suspension means he will miss Liverpool’s clash against Crystal Palace at the weekend. That game is already a tricky fixture, with Palace flying high under Oliver Glasner. Worse still, Alexander Isak, Liverpool’s other striker, is struggling with fitness. Slot will now be forced to start him, even though he is not fully ready. A situation that could cause even more frustration among fans if the team slips up.
Inside the dressing room, reports say Ekitike’s teammates were not impressed either. Jeremie Frimpong, who was nearby during the celebration, is said to have given him a furious look. The squad understood the importance of controlling emotions, especially in tough games. For them, it wasn’t just about scoring goals—it was about staying on the pitch to fight for the team. By leaving them a man down in such a way, Ekitike lost respect among some of the senior players.
For Arne Slot, this situation is a huge test. He has only just taken over from Jurgen Klopp, one of the most loved managers in Liverpool’s history. Already he has the pressure of replacing a legend, and now he has to deal with the drama of disciplining a £69 million signing. Slot knows that one wrong decision could split the fanbase further. If he is too soft, critics will say he is weak. If he is too harsh, others will claim he is ruining a talented player’s confidence. It is a delicate balance.
But this incident has also raised a bigger question: was signing Ekitike a mistake? Many fans already doubted the deal when it was announced. While the Frenchman showed flashes of brilliance at PSG, he was far from consistent. Now, with a price tag of £69 million and a six-year contract, Liverpool are tied to him long-term. The fact that his first big moment at Anfield ended with a red card and a fine has only added to the doubts. Some fans are already calling him a “waste of money,” comparing him to past Liverpool flops who failed to handle the pressure of playing for the club.
At the same time, others are urging patience. They argue that young players make mistakes and that Ekitike should be given time to adjust to the pressure of playing at Anfield. “This is part of his learning curve,” one fan wrote online. “Yes, it was stupid. But he’s 23. Give him time, he’ll bounce back stronger.”
The irony of the situation is that Ekitike’s goal was crucial. Without it, Liverpool might not have advanced in the Carabao Cup. And yet, that very goal created a storm that has now left him suspended, fined, and criticized by his manager. Football can be cruel in that way. One moment you are the hero, the next you are the villain.
For Liverpool, the timing could not be worse. The team is entering a crucial part of the season, balancing league games, Champions League fixtures, and cup competitions. Losing a striker to suspension—and possibly to low confidence after such backlash—is the last thing Slot needs. Already there are whispers that this incident could affect Ekitike’s long-term future at the club. Some even suggest he could be sold if he fails to adapt quickly.
But there is also another side to this story—the financial punishment. For many fans, the idea of a player losing £400,000 for a red card is staggering. That amount is more than most people earn in years. It highlights the massive wages top footballers earn, and it has reignited debates about money in football. Some argue that such fines are necessary to keep players in line. Others think they are meaningless, since players on £200k a week will barely feel the impact. The debate is not just about Ekitike anymore—it’s about football’s relationship with money and discipline.
As the dust settles, all eyes now turn to the weekend clash against Crystal Palace. Liverpool will have to play without their match-winner, and the pressure on Isak to deliver grows heavier. The fans are anxious, the manager is frustrated, and Ekitike himself is left to reflect on a night that should have been remembered for glory, but instead will be remembered for controversy.
For now, one thing is clear: Ekitike has a lot to prove. He must show the fans, his teammates, and his manager that he can bounce back from this mistake. If he fails to do so, his Liverpool career could unravel faster than anyone expected. And if he succeeds, this could simply be remembered as the moment he learned a painful but important lesson about discipline and responsibility.
At Anfield, legends are not only made by scoring goals. They are made by showing character in the toughest moments. Hugo Ekitike has just entered the first true test of his Liverpool journey. The fans will be watching closely to see how he responds.
