Franco-Cameroonian forward Hugo Ekitike apologises for red card in EFL Cup

France international of Cameroonian descent Hugo Ekitike has apologized to Liverpool fans for red card incident in their EFL Cup clash against Southampton.

Ekitike, who joined the Premier League giants in the summer made substitute appearances as his side cruised to a 2-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday night in the third round of the Cup competition.

The former Frankfurt star scored the winning goal in the 85th minute after replacing Swedish-Eritrean striker Alexander Isak at Anfield.

Ekitike was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for taking off his shirt during the celebration, having previously received it for dissent at the referee.

After the game, Liverpool manager Arne Slot took a swipe at Ekitike, describing his red card as “unnecessary and stupid”.

However, the forward has issued an apology to fans and his team for the red card, while promising not to exhibit such behaviour in subsequent games.

“I’m very happy to help the team win here, at home, in my first League Cup match… But I got too carried away by emotions. I apologize to the entire red family. Thank you to the fans for your support and to the team for holding on to the win,” Ekitike wrote on Instagram.

The forward, who joined from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, will miss his team’s next match against Crystal Palace on Saturday in the sixth round of the English Premier League.

Ekitike started for Liverpool at the start of the season, but his position was threatened by the arrival of Isak in a record deal from Newcastle United.