Ekitike grabs Reds' late winner only to be sent off

Celebrations dulled as star gets marching orders for taking off his shirt

- By CARL MARKHAM

ALEXANDER Isak started making repayments on his British transfer record fee with his first goal for Liverpool but it required a late effort from centre-forward rival Hugo Ekitike to beat Southampton 2-1 in the Carabao Cup.

However, the young Frenchman's insistence in over-celebrating by removing his shirt to show his name on the back to the cameras was a costly mistake as, having already been booked, he was subsequently sent off.

His pending suspension means Isak will almost certainly start at Crystal Palace on Saturday, although that may have been head coach Arne Slot’s plan anyway as he continues to build up his fitness.

The £125million deadline-day signing from Newcastle's smart near-post finish lit up an otherwise disjointed first half for a team registering two debutants and 11 changes from Saturday's Merseyside derby win.

However, Isak has been brought in to achieve more than safe passage to the fourth round of the League Cup against a lowly Championship side.