Liverpool secured a late victory over Southampton in the Carabao Cup, thanks to Hugo Ekitike’s clinical finish from a Federico Chiesa pass.
The win came at a cost, however, as Ekitike was shown a second yellow card for removing his shirt during his celebration and will now miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot also gave an update on young defender Giovanni Leoni, who was stretchered off in the 78th minute after going down awkwardly near the touchline with the score tied at 1-1.
Leoni, 18, joined the Reds from Parma in a £26million deal this summer and was making his first start. He had looked confident before the injury interrupted his promising display.
Speaking after the game, Slot admitted that the early signs were worrying but said a full assessment was needed.
“If a player goes off like that, it is normally not a good sign,” Slot told ITV. “As you can probably understand we have to wait and see what it is. But normally it is not positive when a player goes off like this.”
Liverpool will continue to monitor Leoni’s condition as they prepare for their Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.
