Jeremie Frimpong reaction to Hugo Ekitike Liverpool red card speaks volumes

Jeremie Frimpong spotted straight away that Hugo Ekitike was set to get himself sent off following his goal for Liverpool against Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round. The striker celebrated scoring by removing his shirt, but was already on a yellow card, and a second soon followed from referee Thomas Brammall.

Both bookings came in the second half as Ekitike only came on as a half-time substitute to replace Alexander Isak. The former Newcastle United striker scored just before the break to open the scoring.

But barely eight minutes after the introduction of Ekitike, he was in the book for dissent. Disagreeing with a decision to award a free-kick against him, the 23-year-old punched the ball away in frustration.

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Southampton then equalised through Shea Charles, but Ekitike would respond correctly this time, putting Liverpool back ahead less than ten minutes later. However, almost as soon as he had tapped in a pass across the goal from Federico Chiesa, the striker had his shirt up and over his head.

While wheeling away, he held it up to the crowd inside Anfield by the corner flag. However, after turning around, the realisation will have started to sink in after seeing the look on Frimpong's face, who was clearly alert to what was coming.

The full-back pushed him in the chest and spoke animatedly towards his teammate while holding his arms outstretched before walking away after saying his piece. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot appeared just as bemused on the sideline.

Ekitike will now miss the weekend's Premier League match against Crystal Palace due to serving a one-match suspension because of the sending off. Isak will presumably start in the player's place up front, and, if so, would mark his full league debut for the club after only featuring as a substitute in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield last weekend.

"If I had to score a goal like he did tonight, I would have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and say, ‘It’s all about you Federico, great assist,'" Reds boss Slot said post-match.

“But, that’s maybe me being a bit old school. It was stupid in every sense. The good thing was that his team-mates helped him. But he is now suspended for Saturday and that is far from ideal.”

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