French-Cameroonian striker Hugo Ekitike to be hit with two-week Liverpool fine after ‘stupid’ red card

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike is set to be fined two weeks’ wages following his controversial dismissal in the EFL Cup clash against Southampton on Tuesday night.

Ekitike, who was born in France to Cameroonian parents, was shown a second yellow card after removing his shirt in celebration of his dramatic late winner at Anfield.

The act, which manager Arne Slot described as “stupid,” overshadowed what should have been a defining moment for the 22-year-old striker.

According to The Daily Mail, the punishment will amount to two weeks’ wages, underlining Liverpool’s firm stance on discipline and its desire to deter similar behaviour in future matches.

Slot, visibly unimpressed, addressed the incident in his post-match press conference, stressing the importance of emotional control.

“The first one (yellow card) was already needless and to a certain extent stupid because you have to control your emotions,” he said.

“I know how hard it is if you play in the Premier League and you are a number nine then the defender can almost do everything he wants, and when you push him a little bit you get a free-kick against you. But it is always the best to control your emotions.”

The Liverpool boss also drew on his own past mistakes, recalling his red card against Everton. “You can show your emotions, but if it leads to a yellow or red then it’s, to a certain extent, stupid.”