Hugo Ekitiké has apologised to Liverpool fans after being sent off in controversial fashion during their Carabao Cup match against Southampton. 

The Incident

• Ekitiké came off the bench at halftime and scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 85th minute, giving Liverpool a 2–1 victory. 

• However, after scoring, he removed his jersey during the celebration—having already been booked earlier for kicking the ball away—earning a second yellow and thus a red card. 

• Manager Arne Slot publicly called the dismissal “stupid,” criticising the lack of self-control in a tightly contested game. 

The Apology

• Ekitiké took to Instagram after the match, stating, “The emotion got the better of me tonight. My apologies to all the Red family.” 

• He also thanked his teammates and fans for their support during what should have been a celebratory moment. 

Consequences & Context

• The red card means he will miss Liverpool’s next Premier League match, which is scheduled against Crystal Palace. 

• Critics argue the sending-off overshadowed what was otherwise a match-winning moment, turning a highlight into a cautionary tale about emotional control in high stakes games. 

• The incident adds pressure on Ekitiké to show maturity, especially given his high-profile move to Liverpool and expectations from supporters.