Wayne Rooney launches surprise defence of 'refreshing' Hugo Ekitike after red card celebration for Liverpool

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has seen plenty of criticism come his way after picking up an avoidable red card against Southampton in midweek.

Ekitike has had a fast start to life with the Reds since joining this summer and continued that with a late winner against the Saints at Anfield.

However, the success appeared to go slightly to his head on Tuesday, and the Frenchman will miss Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace as a result.

Ekitike has been roundly criticised from all corners since the incident, including from Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

There were even rumours that he could be facing a dock in pay for the red card, although it has since been confirmed that Liverpool will not fine Ekitike.

In the meantime, praise the 23-year-old has been thin on the ground. Surprisingly, though, some has now arrived from an unlikely source, in Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.

Wayne Rooney pleased to see Hugo Ekitike emotion

Rooney was a player whom you could perhaps see picking up a sending off such as this during his career.

The Scouser was someone who played with that fire in his belly, and was occasionally liable to do something silly on the pitch.

MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES

And maybe that is why Rooney has come out to try and defend Ekitike, telling The Wayne Rooney Show that he was pleased to see that scoring meant so much to the Liverpool man.

READ MORE: ‘Incredible’ player is still an option for Arne Slot more than four years after last Liverpool appearance

“Do you not think that’s refreshing, though?” said the 39-year-old. “We’ve criticised teams for not playing strong teams and not wanting to really compete in the League Cup.

“You’ve got a player who’s just come in to Liverpool, playing really well, scoring goals, he’s showing that passion and emotion of scoring a late goal in the League Cup. I think that’s quite refreshing really for where the cup competitions have been in recent years.”

“I get it, I’m not defending him because it is silly,” Rooney added. “But what we’ve seen over recent years with VAR and players scoring goals and waiting to celebrate and stuff, I think it’s refreshing to see someone celebrating a goal.

“He’s been caught up in the emotion of scoring a goal and he’ll probably regret it now, but I think it’s nice to see that raw emotion when someone scores a goal.”

Ekitike hands the initiative to Alexander Isak

While it is nice to hear someone so high profile add a bit of nuance to the debate over Ekitike’s red card, Rooney does also admit that the France international has done something rather silly.

Suggesting that Ekitike will be ‘devastated’ after realising what he’s done, Rooney also says he has handed the advantage to Alexander Isak in the Liverpool striker stakes.

“You have the emotion of football and scoring goals and sometimes you do get carried away. He’s probably forgotten he’s on a yellow card I imagine. It’s silly,” he said.

“He’s doing really well and it’s probably a shootout with him and Isak for who’s going to play. He’s given Isak a chance to come in and try and take his place. At the minute he’s scoring goals, he’s in a good place, I’m sure he’ll be devastated.”

It remains to be seen whether Isak gets the chance to capitalise on Ekitike’s absence with a start at Crystal Palace on Saturday. But if he can, this mistake will look even worse.

Click here to read article