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Andrew Robertson issued a stern warning to "silly" Hugo Ekitike, stressing the need for rapid learning after his red card almost jeopardized Liverpool's League Cup progression. The French forward has made an impressive start at Anfield following his transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.
Arne Slot opted to keep the Frenchman on the bench during the Reds' 2-1 win against Southampton in the third round of the League Cup. Alexander Isak notched his first goal for Liverpool just before half-time, but it was Ekitike who came off the bench to score the decisive goal after Shea Charles levelled the match in the 76th minute.
Ekitike's goal was crucial, yet he nearly negated his contribution by removing his shirt in celebration, forgetting he had already been booked for kicking the ball away earlier. This led to a second yellow and subsequent red card.
Jeremie Frimpong, another new signing, looked on in disbelief as Ekitike stripped off his jersey. He wasn't as incensed as Slot, though, who took a deep breath to compose himself before disregarding Ekitike as he trudged off the field, with the striker later apologizing for his dismissal.
Robertson didn't mince words in his post-match interview regarding the young striker, who boasts five goals and one assist in his first eight appearances across all competitions for Liverpool. The Scottish defender remarked: "I'd be very surprised if he does it again.
"I think scoring a goal is always emotional and you always get that emotion. But he's obviously just forgotten he's been booked.
"His first one is stupidity, kicking the ball away, we know the rules around that. Two silly bookings to pick up and now we miss him for Saturday.
"It's silly from his part but he's only young and he will learn from it. Happy that he scored but the last ten minutes were made a bit more difficult being down to ten men. He will learn from it and I am sure he won't do it again."
Ekitike's dismissal means he'll be ruled out of Liverpool's upcoming Premier League encounter with Crystal Palace.
His absence will be keenly felt against the Eagles, who remain the only other side in the top flight maintaining an unblemished record in the new Premier League season.
This could force Slot into handing Isak his maiden Premier League start for the Reds. The Swede's first-half strike marked his debut goal for the Merseysiders following his contentious move from Newcastle United.
Slot had been carefully monitoring the former Real Sociedad striker's game time, given that he spent most of the summer training in isolation whilst attempting to engineer his departure from St. James' Park.
Just moments after finding the net for Liverpool, Slot withdrew him from the action as part of his minute-management strategy.
He may now have little option but to deploy Isak from the off at Selhurst Park, with Ekitike having ruled himself out through his exuberant celebration.
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