Liverpool have finally got a striker through the door ahead of their title defence next season.

The Reds have known exactly what they want this summer and a new number nine was towards the top of the wishlist, and now they can finally tick it off.

Hugo Ekitike is the man Arne Slot has decided to take a punt on, albeit a rather expensive punt as the Frenchman has joined for an initial fee of £69m, potentially rising to £79m with add-ons.

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Although he has set the Bundesliga alight over the last 18 months, in particular last season, many fans may not know a lot about their new striker, with most having a lot of questions to ask.

However, there is one question they may have wished to never find the answer to, with this being who he supported when he was growing up in France.

Photo by Ben Gal/BSR Agency/Getty Images

Of course, who a player supported when they were younger has no direct correlation to how they will perform on a football pitch, with it being a job to them all at the end of the day.

No matter what, they will try their hardest and give everything for the badge, even if that means playing for the closest rivals of the team you used to watch week in, week out.

Well, unfortunately for Liverpool fans, their new summer signing revealed in a YouTube video back in April 2024 that he used to follow Man United when he was younger, something that all fans will hate to hear.

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Despite this, reports have suggested that the Red Devils attempted to make a last-ditch effort to try and sign Ekitike just a week before he officially became a Liverpool player, an approach the Frenchman rejected.

This is certainly a telling sign to where the 23-year-old’s head is now, meaning Reds fans can relax as their new big-money striker is now a Kopite at heart.

Liverpool against Man United is a game that needs no introduction or hype built around it, but next season’s derby will now be one of the most exciting yet.

Both teams have recruited well and will likely start the new season with a new number nine, something that will only add excitement when the two meet next season.

Ekitike will have to wait a little while, however, to face his boyhood club, with Liverpool first playing Man United on 18th October at Anfield as things stand, although it is subject to change.

The return fixture is scheduled to be played at the start of May, with many fans hoping they will have the league wrapped up by that time.