Arne Slot slams 'stupid' Hugo Ekitike red card in Liverpool Carabao Cup win

"It was needless and stupid," Slot said bluntly after the game, addressing Ekitike's decision to take off his shirt in celebration of his 85th-minute winner.

The striker had already been booked for dissent earlier in the half and seemed to forget - or ignore - that reality in the heat of the moment.

"The first one was already needless - but if you can't control your emotions, at least don't let it lead to a yellow card," Slot added, clearly frustrated.

The 23-year-old forward, who's had a bright start to life at Anfield since arriving for 69 million pounds in July, issued an immediate apology on social media.

"The emotion got the better of me," he wrote. "My apologies to all the Red family⦠thanks to the fans who always support us and to my team-mates for this victory."

Ekitike will now miss Saturday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.

"It's silly from his part," said vice-captain Andy Robertson. "Two silly bookings and we miss him for Saturday. He'll learn from it and I'm sure he won't do it again."

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