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So, yeah, he is a really good coach and good person first, so that’s why he made me want to come here."

While Ekitike, who began his career at Reims before moving to Paris Saint-Germain, bolstered his reputation during an 18-month stay with Frankfurt by operating as a central striker, Liverpool view the 23-year-old as a more versatile attacking option.

And with the Reds interested in a move for Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak, the new arrival has no qualms over where he is used.



I can’t define myself only as a striker (who likes) to finish: I like to play, I like to be in the game, in the collective part of play (and) create also.

"So, I can do both – I can play alone and I like to play also with another striker and I think that’s what makes me versatile, but you know now in this football you need to adapt."

Ekitike adds: "I always have been playing outside with my friends at school and I have been watching a lot.

"My favourite player is a player who likes to have the ball at their feet and does some skills, show on the pitch, and I think that’s why I always like to play with the ball and do some skills when I face other players.

It’s just my way to play."

The arrival for the Frenchman has taken Liverpool's spending this summer to almost £300m as Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes look to improve on the squad that romped to the Premier League title last season.

And speaking to liverpoolfc.com, Ekitike says: "You see the players on the team, obviously we have so much quality in this team.

It’s just a pleasure to play with such good players.

That’s why the fans are pretty happy."

Ekitike joined up with his new team-mates in Hong Kong on Thursday and could be given minutes in Saturday's friendly against AC Milan as well as the game against Yokohama F Marinos in Japan next Wednesday.

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The Reds conclude their warm-up programme by entertaining Athletic Bilbao in a double-header, and the new arrival is looking forward to a first taste of his new home.

"Yeah, Anfield is mad!" says Ekitike.

I think I will start to think when we come and we are going to play there, but it’s huge.

"I have seen it on TV and it’s crazy: crazy stadium and crazy fans, so I think it’s going to be amazing."


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