Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round on September 24, 2025, should have been a moment of triumph, securing their place in the fourth-round draw with a dramatic late show at Anfield. Instead, the headlines were dominated by Arne Slot’s blistering outburst at Hugo Ekitike, whose “stupid” and “needless” red card in the dying seconds overshadowed a hard-fought win against a spirited Championship side. The Dutch manager, known for his measured demeanor since taking the reins from Jürgen Klopp, didn’t hold back in his post-match press conference, lambasting the young French striker for a moment of madness that nearly cost Liverpool their edge. As Gary Neville’s bombshell comments about Darwin Núñez’s benching already stir unrest, Slot’s public dressing-down of Ekitike has thrown another log on the fire, raising questions about discipline and squad harmony at a critical juncture.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Slot, juggling a packed schedule with a Champions League clash against AC Milan and a looming Merseyside derby, rotated heavily, resting Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Ibrahima Konaté. In their place, teenagers Trey Nyoni and Conor Bradley started, alongside £10 million summer signing Federico Chiesa, who provided the spark for Alexander Isak’s 43rd-minute header—his first goal since a £60 million move from Newcastle. Southampton, managed by Will Still, fought back with Cameron Archer’s deflected equalizer in the 57th minute, capitalizing on a shaky Jarell Quansah at the back. The game seemed destined for penalties until Ekitike, introduced as a 75th-minute substitute for Diogo Jota, latched onto a Cody Gakpo through-ball to rifle home the winner in the 90th minute. Anfield erupted, but the 22-year-old’s celebration—ripping off his shirt in front of the Kop—earned a second yellow card, following an earlier booking for a reckless tackle on Kyle Walker-Peters. The red card left Liverpool to see out stoppage time with 10 men, clinging to their lead as Southampton’s Adam Armstrong forced a desperate save from Caoimhin Kelleher.
Slot’s reaction was immediate and unsparing. “Stupid. Absolutely needless,” he fumed in his press conference, his Feyenoord-honed calm giving way to visible frustration. “Hugo wins us the game, and we’re delighted with his impact, but to throw it away with that celebration? It’s unacceptable. We’re fighting to stay in this competition, and he puts us under pressure for no reason. He’ll learn, but it’s a costly lesson.” The 47-year-old’s words carried weight, not least because Ekitike, a £32 million arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in January 2025, is still finding his feet. With only three goals in 14 appearances, the former Reims prodigy has been overshadowed by Isak and Jota, and his red card—his first in English football—has sparked debate about his temperament. “We need players who stay switched on,” Slot added, hinting at a potential benching for the upcoming Everton clash. Social media lit up, with fans split: one X post with 12,000 likes read, “Slot’s right—Ekitike’s got to grow up,” while another countered, “He’s 22 and won us the game! Chill, Arne.”
The incident compounds an already tense narrative at Liverpool. Neville’s scathing critique of Slot’s decision to bench Darwin Núñez—suggesting a move to Manchester City for the “chaotic genius”—had already put the manager under scrutiny. Ekitike’s red card, coupled with Núñez’s absence from the starting XI, paints a picture of a squad struggling to balance youth, rotation, and discipline. Liverpool’s injury list doesn’t help: Luis Díaz (hamstring) is doubtful for the weekend, while Alisson Becker’s ongoing calf issue saw Kelleher deputize admirably. Slot’s rotation was pragmatic—Nyoni’s 88% pass accuracy and Chiesa’s assist showed promise—but Southampton’s resilience exposed frailties. Quansah’s shaky positioning and Bradley’s struggles against Armstrong’s pace highlighted the risks of leaning on youth, while Gakpo’s failure to convert two big chances underscored why Neville championed Núñez’s raw energy.
Ekitike’s red card isn’t just a one-off; it’s a headache for a team facing seven games in 21 days. The suspension rules him out of the fourth-round tie—potentially against Manchester United or Tottenham—and forces Slot to reshuffle an already stretched attack. Teammates rallied to his defense: Isak, who shared a warm embrace with Ekitike post-match, posted on Instagram, “We ride together, brother—head up 💪.” But the optics are grim. Slot’s public rebuke echoes his Klopp-esque intensity, yet risks alienating a young squad still gelling under his vision. Pundits piled on: Jamie Carragher, on Sky Sports, called the red card “daft” but urged patience, noting, “Hugo’s got the tools—Slot’s just teaching him the hard way.” Neville, doubling down, quipped, “First Núñez on the bench, now Ekitike sent off. Something’s not clicking at Anfield.”
The broader context stings. Liverpool’s 14 goals in six Premier League games signal attacking potency, but their set-piece defending—exposed by Southampton’s equalizer—remains a weak link. Slot’s system, built on control and pressing, demands discipline, and Ekitike’s lapse could see Núñez or Jota favored against Everton. Fans, ever passionate, chanted Ekitike’s name as he trudged off, but X posts like “Hugo’s fire, but that was brainless” reflect the frustration. With the fourth-round draw looming and a title tilt in sight, Slot’s challenge is clear: harness his squad’s raw talent without letting it combust. Ekitike’s “stupid” moment may be a blip, but as Neville’s warnings echo, Liverpool can’t afford more missteps—or they’ll be watching City work the magic instead.