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Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has offered a surprising take on Hugo Ekitike's red card against Southampton that will see him suspended for Liverpool's trip to Crystal Palace tomorrow.
Arne Slot said it was "needless" and "stupid" in his post-match press conference after Ekitike was shown a first yellow card for dissent and then a second for removing his shirt in celebration. But Rooney was pleased to see some passion shown in a competition that often sees weakened sides fielded by Premier League clubs in the early rounds.
"Do you not think that’s refreshing, though?" the 39-year-old asked on his BBC show. "We've criticized teams for not playing strong teams and not wanting to really compete in the League Cup.
"You've got a player who’s just come in to Liverpool, playing really well, scoring goals, he’s showing that passion and emotion of scoring a late goal in the League Cup.
"I think that’s quite refreshing really for where the cup competitions have been in recent years.
"I get it, I'm not defending him because it is silly. But what we’ve seen over recent years with VAR and players scoring goals and waiting to celebrate and stuff, I think it’s refreshing to see someone celebrating a goal.
"He’s been caught up in the emotion of scoring a goal, and he’ll probably regret it now, but I think it’s nice to see that raw emotion when someone scores."
Ekitike has been in fine form so far for Liverpool since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee that could reach $106 million (£79 million) including add-ons.
He scored against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield and has found the net four more times since then in all competitions, but will have to sit out the trip to Selhurst Park.
"You have the emotion of football and scoring goals and sometimes you do get carried away," Rooney added. "He’s probably forgotten he’s on a yellow card I imagine. It’s silly.
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"He’s doing really well and it’s probably a shootout with him and Alexander Isak for who’s going to play.
"He’s given Isak a chance to come in and try and take his place. At the minute he’s scoring goals, he’s in a good place, I’m sure he’ll be devastated."
Liverpool.com says: Ekitike has made a really good start to life with the Reds and the red card will only be a minor setback. His goalscoring record is great so far, and he has looked really clever with his link-up play and his pressing.
The question of who will start between Ekitike and Isak is one that will rumble on, but there will be enough minutes for both. Slot needs options, and that's exactly what he has.
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