-
Exclusive
- 57 minutes ago
Slot slams ‘STUPID’ new signing as serious injury fears raised
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 24 Sept 2025 16:43 BST
- 4 min read
News
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has branded Hugo Ekitike as “stupid” after the France international striker was sent-off celebrating the Carabao Cup winner against Southampton on Tuesday.
The Reds maintained their strong start to the season despite turning in an unconvincing performance in a 2-1 victory. Alexander Isak scored his first goal since arriving from Newcastle in a record move, but it was left to Ekitike to come off the bench and snatch a winner five minutes from time.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt hitman got carried away with his celebration, removing his shirt, despite having been booked previously.
Current ETV
Hugo Ekitiké
F (C)
Liverpool
Hugo Ekitiké
F (C)
Liverpool
ETV Range
€67.7M - €82.8M
It was an action that left Slot stunned.
The Liverpool boss told ITV Sport: “I told him if you score in a Champions League final in the 87th minute after outplaying three players and hitting it into the top corner I can maybe understand that you are like ‘this is all about me’.
“I’m old-fashioned, I’m 47 and old and I haven’t played at this level but I did score a few goals and if I had scored a goal like this I would have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and said this goal is all about you, not about me.
“So needless, not smart, you call it stupid, I call it stupid as well.”
Ekitike will sit out Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace as a result of a one-match suspension for the red card but will be eligible to play against Galatasaray in the Champions League next Tuesday.
Giovanni Leoni struck by possible ACL tear
In another blow to Liverpool on Tuesday, there are fears that centre-back Giovanni Leoni faces a long period out after suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
The 18-year-old left the field on a stretcher, and Slot has admitted he has major concerns about the €31 million summer arrival from Parma.
“He's down because for him it didn't feel good immediately,” Slot said. “But this is something now we have to assess and normally these things don't happen in five to 10 minutes, you have to wait until tomorrow to see how he comes in and then maybe do an MRI scan to know more.
“Normally the emotions of a player tell you a lot, I saw a player in the Dutch Eredivisie at the weekend who went out completely in tears and it proved to be that he was seriously injured, but let's hope for the best.”
Leoni was making his Liverpool debut but it seems likely to be his last appearance for several weeks, even in the best-case scenario.
Football transfer news headlines today
Garnacho Instagram post prompts urgent well-being check
Erling Haaland tipped to complete €150m Barcelona transfer
REVEALED: Cristiano Ronaldo fights Chelsea for Barcelona star
Vini Jr sends clear contract message to Real Madrid
Harry Kane Tottenham return admission as secret Bayern clause revealed
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
