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Liverpool manager Arne Slot seems set to handle disciplinary matters behind closed doors to maintain squad harmony, following the same approach he employed at Feyenoord.
Slot dismissed any speculation that Hugo Ekitike faced a fine for his Carabao Cup dismissal. The French forward netted the decisive goal as a substitute when Liverpool hosted Southampton at Anfield on Wednesday, but removed his jersey during his celebration.
Having already received a caution for an earlier foul, he was dismissed for his actions in the 2-1 triumph. Reports suggested Ekitike would forfeit a fortnight's wages for such conduct, but Slot has categorically denied this claim.
Mirroring his methods at Feyenoord, he opted to play down his private conversation with Ekitike. Twelve months ago, as Slot prepared for his inaugural Premier League fixture as Liverpool boss, American midfielder Cole Bassett, who served under him at Feyenoord, revealed how he managed his players.
"There's a line with him, but he didn't want to make too big a deal out of anything to the point where it affected the team or performances, and everybody started talking about it in the media," Bassett told the Mirror.
"He deals with it internally so it never gets out and you can move on and focus on team things. Sometimes players do things and coaches go out in the media and make a big deal with it.
"Then the focus isn't on the team for the game. I think he did well when we did have issues to keep it internal. Everyone makes mistakes, and then you move on with it.
"There was a time when we had an international break and the guys who didn't get called into their national teams were able to go away for three or four days.
"One player didn't come back on time for training on the Monday. Arne did well to sort it out. The player got fined and he had to take us out to a team dinner.
"His punishment was taking everybody out and he had to pay for it. He could have made a big deal of it, but the team bonded, and the player didn't want to have to pay for a whole team dinner again! He learned his lesson and no-one outside of the group ever knew about it at the time."
Pressed during his pre-match media briefing ahead of Liverpool's encounter with Crystal Palace - a fixture Ekitike will sit out due to suspension - Slot dismissed any speculation that the 23-year-old had been financially penalized for his actions.
When asked whether Ekitike would face disciplinary measures, Slot responded: "Disciplined means I spoke to him, but if 'disciplined' means a fine, we didn't do that. It wasn't smart what he did, he recognised that straight away and said sorry to his team-mates.
"Players of all ages do make mistakes and you are allowed at this club to make a mistake without immediately getting fines. He wasn't smart.
"He is a fantastic human being, if you speak to all staff members and ask them their warmest human beings, he would be in the top three."
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