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Liverpool supporters are thrilled with the subtle tribute incoming forward Hugo Ekitike paid to club icon Steven Gerrard last month.

Manchester United and Chelsea were both rumoured to be in the running earlier in the window, before Newcastle stepped up their game by submitting a formal bid to Eintracht Frankfurt.

However, the Bundesliga team rejected the offer and Liverpool swiftly moved in to secure a $106 million (£79 million) deal after Newcastle informed the Reds that their star striker, Alexander Isak, was off the market.



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It's understood that Ekitike completed the main part of his Liverpool medical on Tuesday before the deal was finalised last night, paving the way for the 23 year old to follow in the footsteps of Liverpool greats like Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler.

However, Ekitike gave a clue as to who might be his all-time favourite Reds player when he was spotted wearing a rare Liverpool third kit from the 1998/99 season, complete with Gerrard's name proudly displayed on the back, back in June.

Moreover, the shirt bore the No.

He featured in 13 matches across all competitions in the 1998/99 season, without finding the back of the net.

Despite Liverpool supporters relishing the gesture, Ekitike might have some amends to make with those familiar with his past, as the Frenchman has previously confessed to being a fan of the club's fierce rivals, Manchester United.

Manchester United are also on the lookout for a forward, and their search is likely to ramp up now that they've secured the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford

However, Ekitike won't be an option as he nears a move to Merseyside.

Adding the hefty Ekitike fee to transfers for Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili takes Liverpool's summer expenditure to nearly $400m

This, following a dominant title win, doesn't bode well for their Premier League competitors.

Ekitike will now jet out to the Far East to link up with his new teammates ahead of the pre-season encounter against AC Milan on Saturday.

It is unclear at this stage if he will play any part in the game but Liverpool has confirmed the Frenchman will wear a temporary shirt number of 54 for the tour.


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