Ekitike 'Stupidity' in EFL Cup -

Liverpool captain Andy Robertson called Hugo Ekitike “silly” for being dismissed for removing his shirt against Southampton and said he would be “very surprised” if the attacker did not learn the incident.

By replacing the British record at halftime, 125 million pounds sterling of Signature of Alexander Isak, Ekitike imitated the Swedish international by hitting a Col de Federico Chiea, but then received a second yellow card for having removed his top, after being reserved eight minutes after having come to launch the ball.

Hugo Ekitike puts Liverpool in front!

The attacker is sent for a second reservable attack after removing his shirt in celebration! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/zlvbu9r4kh

– Sky Sports Football (@Skyfootball) September 23, 2025

“The first was stupidity,” Robertson told Sky Sports, chatting with Ekitike warnings after the Scottish international was deputy during the home victory of the third Tour of the EFL 2-1 Cup for the established skipper Virgil Van Dijk, which was rested.

“Marking a goal is always emotional, but he has obviously forgotten that he was reserved. It is silly but he is only young and he will pull it.

Liverpool vs Southampton: Isak lens for red

Isak opened the scoring two minutes before half-time with his first goal since the prolonged 26-year move in Newcastle, for whom he was the second top scorer of the first league last season behind Mohamed Salah in Liverpool.

Liverpool built Isak’s physical form after playing only for the first time this season on September 17, sending him back to half-time against Southampton for sprints.

Alexander Isak opens his account for Liverpool! ✅ pic.twitter.com/bth0kq6yju

– Sky Sports Football (@Skyfootball) September 23, 2025

“It was a new one,” said Isak. “It was funny … I had to be in good shape. I feel good – I feel fit. It was good to get minutes but it is a competition game, so the main objective is to win.

“It’s a big team to be a part and it will only improve.”

Alexander Isak “looks in shape” – Robertson

Southampton won one of his first six -level games of the season, but was on the right penalties after Shea Charles drew at close range in the 76th minute, only for the fifth goal of the season to send Liverpool.

The leaders of the Premier League have now taken the lead after the 82nd minute in six of their seven matches in all competitions this season.

“We cannot continue to count on it,” said Robertson. “We were not near the standards. You could see that some of the guys had not played. We were not good enough in the press and were not intense enough.

Shea Charles Levels for Southampton! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/07rt0kp9aw

– Sky Sports Football (@Skyfootball) September 23, 2025

“I am delighted to have (Isak) in the door. It’s all about strikers who get the first goal. The pressure is on them, which may be unfair.

“It seems fit to me. Sport scientists, perhaps, think a little differently.”

The two teams are the next ones in action on Saturday (3:00 p.m. BST / 10:00 and / 07:00 PT), when Liverpool Visit Crystal Palace, the leaders of the Southampton Reception Championship, Middlesbrough.

Liverpool VS Southampton team

Liverpool starts XI: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni, Andy Robertson, Treay Nyoni, Wataru Endo, Curtis Jones, Federico Chiesa, Alexander Isak, Rio NGUMOHA

Liverpool substitutes: Freddie Woodman, Milos Kerkez, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Rhys Williams, Kaide Gordon, Kieran Morrison, Tommy Pilling, Jayden Danns

Southampton VS Liverpool team

Southampton Start XI: Alex McCarthy, Elias Jelert, Ronnie Edwards, Nathan Wood, Joshua Quarshie, Ryan Manning, Flynn Downes, Caspar Jander, Adam Armstrong, Leo Scienza, Cameron Archer

Southampton substitutes: George Long, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Shea Charles, Kuryu Matsuki, Ryan Fraser, Tom Fellows, Jay Robinson, Ross Stewart, Damion Downs

Football of the Liverpool football club Hugo Ekitike

When is the draw in the fourth round of the EFL Cup?

The draw for the next round will take place after the third level host of Port Vale Arsenal on Wednesday, September 24.

The presenter Simon Thomas will host the ceremony alongside the former Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp and the former united midfielder from Sheffield Michael Brown.

What time is the draw in the fourth EFL Cup fourth round?

Arsenal vs Port Vale starts at 8:00 p.m. BST (3:00 p.m. and / 12:00 pm), which means that the draw should take place shortly before 10:00 p.m. BST (5:00 p.m. and / 2:00 p.m. PT), depending on the quantity of additional time in the game and if it requires penalties, which will take place if it is level after 90 minutes.

The ball numbers will be confirmed by the EFL on the morning of the draw.