Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Southampton at Anfield was overshadowed by Ekitike’s suspension for removing his shirt after scoring the winner in the final minutes of the game.
"Needless? Yes,” Slot said after the game. “And it was stupid. It was. In the first one (for dissent), it was already needless and, to a certain extent, stupid, as you have got to control your emotions.”
Ekitike apologized after the game and revealed that the “emotion got the better of me” after removing his shirt in celebration and showing it to the stunned Anfield crowd.
The Frenchman will now miss this weekend’s clash against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. This is because although the suspension came in an EFL Cup game, it applies to all competitions including the Premier League.
The exception to this rule is in the EFL Trophy and the National League Cup. In both competitions, red card suspensions are competition specific.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, the Reds clung onto their advantage and booked their spot in the fourth round and will find out their opponents later this week as other top Premier League sides take part on Wednesday night.