Liverpool: Can Hugo Ekitike play in Carabao Cup after red card? | OneFootball

French striker was sent-off in the last round after scoring late winner against Southampton

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.

"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.

Sent-off: Hugo Ekitike

REUTERS

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.