Slot insists Ekitike has not been fined despite 'stupid' sending off

Ekitike will miss the visit to Selhurst Park following his red card against the Saints, with Alexander Isak set to replace him although Slot warned the Swede is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes.

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025 - 12:36

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has dismissed any speculation that striker Hugo Ekitike has been fined for his sending off in the Carabao Cup clash with Southampton and subsequent suspension for the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Ekitike will miss the visit to Selhurst Park following his red card against the Saints, with Alexander Isak set to replace him although Slot warned the Swede is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes.

Slot said of British record signing Isak: “He is further into his pre-season now and normally after two weeks of (his) pre-season you bring a player to 60-70 minutes.”

Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Southampton. Pic: AP Photo/Jon Super

Slot branded Ekitike’s midweek dismissal as “stupid”, with the France striker initially booked for punching the ball away then given his marching orders for removing his shirt after scoring the winner.

But Slot denied the 23-year-old had been fined for his conduct.

He added: “Disciplined means I spoke to him, but if disciplined means a fine, he didn’t get (that). It wasn’t smart what he did. He recognised that straight away and said sorry to his team-mates.

“He is young. Players of all ages do make mistakes and that is what he did in this situation.

“He is a fantastic human being. If you speak to all staff members and ask them their top three of the warmest and most polite persons, he would be in the top three.”