Hugo Ekitike posts apology on Instagram following strange red card incident at Anfield

Hugo Ekitike Issues Apology After Strange Red Card in Liverpool Win Over Southampton

Hugo Ekitike has publicly apologised to Liverpool supporters following his unusual red card in Tuesday night’s 2-1 victory against Southampton.

The French forward replaced Alexander Isak at half-time and went on to net a dramatic late winner for Liverpool. However, having already received a yellow card earlier in the match, he was shown a second yellow — and subsequently sent off — after taking off his shirt in celebration.

Jeremie Frimpong appeared stunned as he realised Ekitike would be dismissed, and several pundits slammed the 23-year-old’s actions as “sheer stupidity,” particularly given that the red card rules him out of Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.

Ekitike Responds with Instagram Apology

Roughly an hour after the final whistle, Ekitike addressed the incident on Instagram, admitting that his emotions got the better of him.

Posting to his story, he wrote:

> “I was so excited tonight to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match. The emotion got the better of me tonight. My apologies to all the Red family.
Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my teammates [who] secured this victory!”

A Lesson to Be Learned

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot didn’t hold back in his post-match comments, labeling the red card as “stupid” (via liverpoolfc.com). Ekitike is likely to receive further criticism behind the scenes for his lack of composure.

While the first yellow card stemmed from what many viewed as a soft free-kick and moment of dissent, both bookings were preventable — particularly the second, which came after he had already been warned. Rather than being dismissed for a tactical foul, Ekitike’s red came from a lapse in judgment that now sidelines him for a challenging upcoming league fixture.

Still early in his Liverpool career, Ekitike has made an impressive start, scoring five goals in his first eight appearances. The hope is that this incident will serve as a valuable learning experience — one that helps him manage his emotions more effectively in high-stakes moments.