Isak scores but Ekitike sees red as Liverpool wins
Alexander Isak scored his first goal for Liverpool while Hugo Ekitike was sent off after bagging a late winner as the hosts beat second-tier Southampton 2-1 at Anfield to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The Swede, a record £125 million ($256.1 million) signing from Newcastle United, opened his account in the 43rd minute – 38 seconds after Southampton's Adam Armstrong had hit the crossbar – off a Federico Chiesa pass.
Southampton hit back through Shea Charles in the 76th minute after a glaring error by midfielder Wataru Endo in defence, but Ekitike, who replaced Isak at half-time, maintained Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season with a winner four minutes from time.
He was then sent off for a second yellow card after removing his shirt in celebration. His first yellow was issued for throwing the ball away, and Reds boss Arne Slot looked anything but impressed as he will now not have the use of his striker for the Premier League match-up at Crystal Palace next weekend.
"I'd be very surprised if he does it again," Andy Robertson, captain of a completely-changed Liverpool side from last weekend, said after the match.
"It's two silly bookings to pick up and obviously we miss him for Saturday (Sunday AEST).
"It's silly from his part but he's only young and he'll learn from it."
Isak missed a golden opportunity in the first minute of only his second start and recognised he needed playing time after a protracted transfer saga.
"It's still early, a new club and new team-mates, but I feel good," he said. "I think with all the games I get I'm only going to get better."
Liverpool splashed the cash this summer, but in Isak and Ekitike, it has two top-calibre centre-forwards, and it was no surprise to see the duo make the difference, although Ekitike's red card was easily avoidable and will not have pleased his manager, Slot.
Regardless, the Reds have now won each of their past nine home games against Southampton by an aggregate score of 27-3 – their most recent defeat at Anfield to the Saints came in a 1-0 League Cup semi-final second leg loss in 2016-2017.
