Hugo Ekitike’s Red Card Blunder Might Cost Him Two Weeks’ Wages At Liverpool

Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the English League Cup third round soccer match between Liverpool and Southampton at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s key forward, could be facing a harsh punishment from the club officials after being sent off against Southampton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, September 23. The 23-year-old, who has already received a one-match ban for his conduct at Anfield, may have just ruffled the rest of Liverpool’s players and head coach Arne Slot the wrong way. He could now be subjected to a serious reprimand for his behaviour.

While Liverpool progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 triumph against Southampton FC, the match wasn’t short of controversial scenes after Ekitike was forced to leave the field by the match referee.

Ekitike played a crucial role in his team’s victory when he netted a goal with the score level at 1-1 following an important assist from Federico Chiesa. However, soon after registering his fifth goal for the Reds following his switch from Eintracht Frankfurt, Ekitike celebrated by taking his shirt off and holding it up to the Kop. It led to Ekitike receiving a second yellow card for the match from referee Thomas Bramall after earlier getting one for punching the ball in frustration as he faltered at a free kick.

“I told him that if you score in the Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it in the top corner, I can maybe understand. He is like, ‘This is all about me, what did I do?’,” coach Slot told Sky Sports about his key player as he is now set to warm the bench on ban for the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.

“If I scored a goal like this, I’d have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and said, ‘This goal is all about you, this is not about me’.”

The one-match suspension on Ekitike could be followed by Liverpool’s own punishment for the Frenchman. According to a report in the Mail, Ekitike’s ethical breaches could cost him two weeks’ wages worth £500,000. Soon after he was given the red card against Southampton, Ekitike took to Instagram and issued an apology to the fans and the club.

“I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match,” he wrote in a story post. “The emotion got the better of me tonight. My apologies to all the Red family. Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my teammates for securing the victory. #Reds.”