Liverpool boss Arne Slot slams Hugo Ekitike’s “stupid” red card for removing his shirt after scoring in the 2-1 Carabao Cup win over Southampton.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed frustration with forward Hugo Ekitike for the “stupid” red card he received during their 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over Southampton on Tuesday night.

CBI News reports that the Premier League leaders advanced to the fourth round thanks to goals from Alexander Isak and Ekitike, but the French striker’s night ended in controversy after he was shown a second yellow card for removing his shirt while celebrating his goal.

Speaking to ITV after the match, Slot admitted he was baffled by the forward’s actions.

“I didn’t understand it,” the Dutchman said.

“If I got an assist like that one from Federico Chiesa, I probably would have turned around and pointed at him like, ‘yeah, you have made this whole goal for me.’

“So that is why I was a little bit surprised that is how he [Hugo Ekitike] celebrated. And even worse, he took his shirt off and got his second yellow.

“Not just because it was a second yellow, but it’s always stupid to take your shirt off and take a yellow because if this happens somewhere in the game every time you make a foul, it could be a second yellow.”

Slot stressed that while Ekitike’s goal was important, his reckless celebration was unnecessary.

“I think if you score a goal like this, I would have gone to the guy who made the assist, but that is not so important; it’s stupid to take your shirt off,” he added.

Despite the setback, Liverpool held on to secure their place in the next round, with Slot insisting the team must learn from such avoidable mistakes as the season progresses.