Ekitike's sending-off opens door for Isak as Liverpool edge Southampton

Liverpool’s plans for the weekend were unsettled on Tuesday night when Hugo Ekitike’s late winner against Southampton was followed by a suspension-worthy moment that will rule him out of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace. Ekitike’s 85th-minute strike gave Liverpool a 2-1 victory in the Carabao Cup and sent them into the fourth round, but his celebration proved costly. In removing his shirt after scoring, he picked up a second yellow card and was dismissed, meaning he will miss the league match at Palace.

The dismissal came at a moment when Ekitike had been among the Reds’ most productive attackers this season. Liverpool signed the forward for around £69 million in July from Eintracht Frankfurt, hoping his early form would complement the club’s long-awaited arrival of a record signing in Alexander Isak. Ekitike has been among the Premier League’s more clinical new faces, with three goals in five league appearances and one assist, contributing to a perfect record in competitive matches so far this season for a team that has won all their games to date.

![Hugo Ekitike celebrates]https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/2048/cpsprodpb/3d53/live/4ff0c730-98ce-11f0-bd62-65129543c796.jpg

Liverpool signed Isak to a fanfare that suggested a potential shift in their attacking balance. The Swedish forward has started two cup ties since joining, playing 58 minutes against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on 17 September and then coming off the bench in the first half against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. In the Premier League he has yet to start, with his only league appearance coming as a late substitute in the 2-1 win over Everton at the weekend. Isak’s shorter run of game-time has been deliberate, with manager Arne Slot managing his fitness and integration after the high-profile arrival.

Speaking after the win over Southampton, Isak said he felt good in his progression: “I feel good. With every game I play it is very helpful and gets me in better shape.” When asked if he felt ready to start, he offered a cautious answer: “It is difficult to say. It is a mixture of fitness-wise and football-wise. I feel good and feel I am in a shape to make a difference.” Slot’s approach has been to use Isak carefully, a factor that could influence who starts against Palace if Ekitike is suspended.

Slot was frank about the indiscretion, describing the act as “stupid” even if it happened after a second yellow card had already been shown. He added that the good news is his players will help Ekitike bounce back, but acknowledged the downside of losing him for a key league game. “It is stupid, not smart in every sense,” Slot said. “The good thing is that his teammates helped him to get the win over the line, but the thing is he is now suspended for Saturday and that is far from ideal.”

Former players and pundits echoed that sentiment. Chris Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, called the red card a needless double punishment for a player who had started so well. He warned that the suspension could complicate Slot’s selection for the Palace game, particularly if Isak’s iffy fitness is not fully resolved. Slot, however, remained supportive of Ekitike’s growth.

Is Isak ready to start against Palace? The winger-forward’s arrival has forced Slot to weigh a blend of minutes and momentum. Isak’s half-time departure against Southampton could be seen as both tactical and protective, with Slot likely juggling European and domestic duties across the coming fixtures. Isak’s comments underscore a measured approach to his integration, with the manager hinting at broader plans for increased minutes in due course.

As Liverpool look to captain momentum after beating Southampton, the looming question is how the Ekitike-Isak partnership will evolve without the French forward for the Palace clash. The club has kept its eye on continuity in a campaign that has started with a string of wins, but the one-match ban introduces an immediate hurdle that could shape Slot’s lineup for a pivotal fixture in the league.

In the broader context, the Ekitike episode illustrates the tightrope young forwards walk between passion and discipline in high-stakes matches. The club’s readiness to press on with Isak—while continuing to develop Ekitike—suggests a dynamic a manager can leverage as the season unfolds. The Palace game will test not only their attacking options but also Liverpool’s depth as they strive to balance ambition with the realities of squad management.

![Alexander Isak during training]https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/965/cpsprodpb/c5f3/live/90e3f680-98ca-11f0-b0d9-4bf14fae517f.jpg