Overview

• Liverpool beat Southampton 2-1 at Anfield, with Alexander Isak scoring on his second start before Hugo Ekitike netted an 85th‑minute decider and was sent off for removing his shirt.
• Ekitike’s dismissal results in a ban for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, affecting immediate selection up front.
• Arne Slot labeled the celebration “needless” and “stupid” and stressed that Isak, a roughly £125m arrival from Newcastle, is on a carefully managed build-up.
• Isak has played limited minutes so far and was withdrawn at half-time as planned, with Slot targeting after the October international window for his full contribution.
• Teenage debutant Giovanni Leoni was stretchered off, with ESPN reporting fears of a significant ACL injury, and former Newcastle teammates liked Isak’s post celebrating his first Liverpool goal.