Jamie O’Hara cannot believe rulebook reveal after Hugo Ekitike saga at Liverpool – ‘Load of rubbish’
Hugo Ekitike went from hero to villain for Liverpool in their 2-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday.
Ekitike has started his Liverpool career in fine form, notching four goals in his first seven matches since moving to Merseyside.
Ekitike scored a late winner against Southampton to send the Reds through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on 23 September, sparking jubilant scenes at Anfield as Liverpool’s fringe players nearly got taken to penalties.
However, supporters were baffled just moments later when he took his shirt off and received a second yellow card.
Jamie O’Hara baffled as Hugo Ekitike set for Liverpool suspension
Ekitike will now be banned for Liverpool’s trip to Crystal Palace on 27 September, as a result of the dismissal against the Saints.
Jamie O’Hara has hit out at the rule that penalises players for taking their shirt off, after the Frenchman was sent off, after host Tom White revealed the reasoning for the decision.
Speaking on Sky Sports News on 24 September, he said: “What a load of rubbish that is, what do you mean time-wasting.
“You take your shirt off, you add it on at the end, there is always a celebration of some sort.
“We have VAR checking most goals, so by the time he gets his shirt on, VAR probably would have checked it anyway.
“To prevent time-wasting, I am not having that, that is a load of old rubbish.”
Hugo Ekitike should know better, Liverpool will now suffer
Ekitike has been preferred to Alexander Isak at the moment, due to the Sweden star’s fitness issues after his lack of pre-season.
However, Slot will now be forced to start a potentially unfit Isak against the Eagles, with the former Eintracht Frankfurt star suspended after his antics.
- Isak did not feature against Burnley at all
- He then played 57 minutes against Atletico Madrid and came on at 67 minutes against Everton
- The Swede scored his first Reds goal in the win over the Saints
That could have ramifications for the Reds, as Oliver Glasner’s side are one of the most in-form sides in the top-flight at the moment, and are on a 17-match unbeaten run.
He should know better, having already been booked, and if Slot’s side lose their 100 per cent record in the league, it will look even worse than it already does.
The celebration was over the top after scoring against a Championship side, in a cup competition, and Ekitike must learn to be more sensible if he is to have any chance of keeping Isak out of the side.
That already looks like a difficult task, so his latest actions may make it even harder.
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