Liverpool fans are looking forward to the possibility of seeing Hugo Ekitike make his debut this weekend after joining the team in Hong Kong.

Ekitike arrived as the Reds’ fourth major signing of the summer on Wednesday, immediately jetting in to meet his new teammates in the Far East.

It remains to be seen whether Arne Slot chooses to throw the £69m signing straight in against AC Milan on Saturday, or holds off until Wednesday’s clash with Yokohama F.



Marinos.

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Whenever Ekitike‘s debut ends up arriving, Liverpool fans are excited to see him in action.

Just like other signings the Reds have made this summer, the 23-year-old seemingly turned down interest from elsewhere to complete a move to Anfield.

This was underlined when Ekitike was pictured wearing a vintage Liverpool shirt with Steven Gerrard on the back during his holidays in June.

And as he finally sat down for his first interview as a Reds, Ekitike revealed the story behind the photograph.

Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

It has been a slightly unorthodox arrival for Ekitike at Liverpool.

Normally, the first sighting fans get of new signings is when they sit down to speak to the club officially.

However, Ekitike was instead first introduced to supporters as he wandered onto the pitch at the Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Thursday.

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From there, the Frenchman has already completed a training session, before eventually being granted his interview with Liverpoolfc.com on Friday afternoon.

During the conversation, Ekitike was asked to explain how he came to wear a 1997/98 Liverpool away shirt with Gerrard’s name on the back.

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“The story behind it is that I was going on vacation and obviously I had some training [sessions],” the striker revealed.

“I like vintage jerseys and my brother went to the shop and bought that one and obviously you know the next part of the story: now I am here!

He is maybe the first legend here at Liverpool so yeah, big up to him and it’s a very good jersey.”

Ekitike covered a lot of ground during his first interview as a Red, looking at everything from his journey to this point to what he sees himself as a player.

The former PSG striker ended the conversation with a message to supporters, and an endearing comment about being the newest Scouser in the team.

“Hey fans!

Here [is] Hugo Ekitike, new Scouser!” he smiled.

“I can’t wait to win and score goals for you and just have success, and have fun in the stadium and to see you.”


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