Arne Slot puolustaa Hugo Ekitikéä Liverpoolissa nuoren hyökkääjän virhe muuttuu oppitunniksi eikä rangaistukseksi
On Tuesday night at Anfield, Hugo Ekitiké went from hero to headline in the blink of an eye. The 21‑year‑old French striker delivered the decisive strike in Liverpool’s 2–1 League Cup victory over Southampton—only to undo the euphoria moments later. In the rush of celebration, he tore off his shirt in front of a roaring Kop, forgetting he had already been booked. Seconds later, the referee’s whistle cut through the cheers, brandishing a second yellow, then red. From match‑winner to marched‑off in the span of a single celebration.
Slot’s calm approach
Attention pivoted immediately to Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot. How would he react to such a self‑inflicted setback by his young striker? Slot was clear and composed: no internal fines, no added punishments.
“Of course it wasn’t the smartest thing,” he noted, acknowledging the error. “But Hugo realized right away and apologized to his teammates. He’s a young guy. Players make mistakes, and at this club, you’re allowed to make one without being fined.”
Rather than stoking drama, Slot’s response revealed something about his style of leadership. He prizes responsibility, yes, but just as importantly he prizes learning. Punishment took a backseat to growth, and the message was unmistakable: improvement matters more than discipline.
A setback before Palace
The decision doesn’t erase the reality: Ekitiké will be suspended for Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. That absence stings, since his winner against Southampton hinted at a potential breakthrough role in Slot’s plans. Among fans, opinion is split. Some applauded his instinctive finish and forgave the impulsive celebration; others called it a naïve mistake that robbed him of momentum.
Learning the hard way
Ekitiké’s path to Liverpool has already carried its share of drama, from a long‑drawn transfer saga to heightened expectations now that he’s finally in red. His talent is there for all to see, but flashes of brilliance come mixed with youthful lapses. That’s precisely why Slot’s open support could be a turning point.
A manager willing to nurture rather than punish offers him the environment to steadily mature without fear of every misstep costing him his place. For Ekitiké, that patience may prove decisive in becoming the striker Liverpool fans envision.
Looking ahead
Without him this weekend, Liverpool are expected to lean on Federico Chiesa or Diogo Jota to join Mohamed Salah in attack. With the season still young yet packed with upcoming fixtures across the league and Europe, every forward on the roster will be called upon.
For Ekitiké, the challenge is simple yet vital:
- Absorb the lesson quickly
- Channel passion into composure
- Be ready when the next chance arrives
If he manages that, Tuesday night could shift from being a cautionary tale into the spark that marked the beginning of his growth at Anfield.
So what do you think? Was Slot right to back his young striker with leniency, or should a fine have reinforced the consequences more firmly?