New Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike didn’t take long to make up his mind. In a recent interview, the Frenchman opened up about the moment he knew Anfield was the right move.
Hugo Ekitike completed his move to Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this month, signing a six-year deal reportedly worth up to £79 million including add-ons.
In his first interview with Liverpool‘s official media, Ekitike said everything clicked the moment he spoke to Arne Slot.
“It’s the best team in England and one of the best teams in the world so yeah, it was Liverpool. Since I talked to the coach, in my head I was sure about it.”
Slot’s influence wasn’t just tactical — it was personal and genuine:
“We had a very good first discussion together. Obviously the coach is very human so we could talk not only about football [but] about everything. I find him very interesting and I was very pleased to see what I can do with him because I think he is a really nice guy and I can still improve and progress with him. So, yeah, he is a really good coach and good person first, so that’s why he made me want to come here.”
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What Ekitike brings and what he’s looking forward to
With the decision made and the deal sealed, Hugo Ekitike is now turning his focus to what lies ahead — and there’s one thing he simply can’t wait for: that first moment under the lights at Anfield.
“Yeah, Anfield is mad! I can’t wait to play there. Obviously I don’t even start to think about what it is to score a goal there. 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.”
But beyond the atmosphere, Ekitike is eager to show what he brings to the pitch:
“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 from the start, he’s making it clear that he wants to build that bond with the fans:
“Hey fans! Here [is] Hugo Ekitike, new Scouser! 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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