Hugo Ekitike was the hero and nearly the villain for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last time out.
Alexander Isak opened the scoring at Anfield against Southampton with his first goal for the club following his record £125million transfer from Newcastle on Deadline Day.
Shea Charles levelled the tie in the 76th minute, setting up the prospect of a penalty shootout. Though, Ekitike scored what proved to be the winner nine minutes later to set up a fourth round tie against Crystal Palace.
The moment was quickly soured as the Frenchman, who was already on a booking for a foul early in the second half, was shown a red card after taking off his shirt in celebration.
That left Liverpool to see out the final four minutes plus stoppage time with ten men and head coach Arne Slot was far from impressed with Ekitike’s actions.
"It is not [stupid] because it was his second [yellow] - it's stupid even if you haven't had a yellow card yet," Slot told reporters afterwards.
"Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned but I did score a few goals - not at his level, but I did - and if I went past three players and put it in the top corner then maybe you can say: 'This is all about me.'
"But if I scored a goal like he did tonight, I would turn to Chiesa and say: 'It's about you Federico - great assist, great run and I didn't have to do a lot.' Maybe that's me being old-school.
"It was stupid, not smart in every sense. The good thing is that his team-mates helped him to get the win over the line.”
Ultimately Ekitike’s punishment for being sent-off against the Saints was a suspension.
Can Hugo Ekitike play in Carabao Cup after red card?
Yes. Ekitike is free to play against Palace having already served his one-match ban - ironically against the Eagles in the Premier League loss that started Liverpool’s poor run of form.
With Isak a doubt after missing the 3-2 defeat to Brentford at the weekend, Ekitike is likely to lead the line as he seeks to score against Palace for the second time this season, following up on his goal in the Community Shield showdown in August.
Eddie Nketiah’s last minute winner at Selhurst Park inflicted a first defeat of the season on Liverpool and there’s a strong argument that the reigning champions of England have not been the same since.
The Reds’ only victory in their last five games across all competitions was the 5-1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt in the league phase of the Champions League last week.
