Hugo Ekitike issues perfect response to 'needless' criticism from Liverpool boss Arne Slot

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Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has made light of his red card controversy and Arne Slot's criticism with a cheeky social media dig. The France international shared a snap on social media showing his celebration against Southampton with Federico Chiesa's face plastered on the back of his shirt alongside the message 'I [heart] Fede'.

This follows the former Eintracht Frankfurt star being dismissed during the Reds' Carabao Cup triumph over the Championship outfit last month. Ekitike came off the bench in the second half and netted the decisive goal to secure Liverpool's progression to the next stage of the tournament, but his shirt-removing celebration earned him a second booking.

Chiesa brilliantly brought down a sweeping pass before setting up the 23-year-old to fire home and seal their spot in the fourth round. Through a series of Instagram snaps, Ekitike offered fans a peek behind the scenes of his life beyond the football pitch and media spotlight.

He showed his jocular side by making light of the contentious incident, finally acknowledging his Liverpool colleague after facing flak from the Dutch manager. Slot believed that instead of celebrating in such fashion, during his own playing days he would have shown appreciation to the teammate who created the goal.

"The first one (yellow card) was already needless and to a certain extent stupid because you have to control your emotions," said Slot. "I know how hard it is if you play in the Premier League and you are a number nine then the defender can almost do everything he wants, and when you push him a little bit you get a free-kick against you.

"But it is always the best to control your emotions, and if you can't, then do it in a way that doesn't lead to a yellow card. So I think I said when I got my red card against Everton that's always stupid because you can show your emotions.

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"But if it leads to a yellow or red, then it's, to a certain extent, stupid. Then I told him that if you score in a Champions League final in the 87th minute after beating three players and hitting it in the top corner, I can maybe understand you say: 'It's all about me'.

"But I'm old fashioned, I'm 47, I'm old, and I haven't played at this level, but I did score a few goals, and if I scored a goal like this, I would have turned around and walked up to Federico Chiesa and say: 'This goal is all about you, this is not about me'.

"So, yeah, needless, not smart, you call it stupid and I call it stupid."

Following the victory, Ekitike issued an apology and immediately took to social media after the blunder, posting on his Instagram story: "I was so excited to help the team achieve another victory here in our home for my first Carabao Cup match.

"The emotion got the better of me. My apologies to all the Red family. Thanks to the fans who always support us and to my team-mates for this victory!".

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