Hugo Ekitike has explained why he rejected a transfer approach from Manchester United before agreeing to join Liverpool.
The French striker completed a £69m move to Anfield in July and has enjoyed a largely bright start to his Liverpool career.
Ekitike emerged as a target for a number of European clubs following an impressive season for Eintracht Frankfurt in which he scored 22 goals in all competitions.
Chelsea were heavily linked with a move at the start of the summer before Liverpool quickly completed a deal to bring him to Anfield.
In the days before Ekitike joined Liverpool, both Manchester United and Newcastle United made last-minute bids to hijack the deal.
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But Ekitike’s representatives made it clear he was prioritising a move to Liverpool and the striker has now discussed his decision to join Arne Slot on Merseyside.
Asked why he chose Liverpool amid interest from Man United and Newcastle, Ekitike said: ‘Liverpool are Premier League champions, with great players and great history.
‘I think it was a good choice for me and that’s why I chose Liverpool as it was the best option and I wanted to come.’
Ekitike has enjoyed a bright start to his Liverpool career, scoring five goals in his first eight appearances for the club.
Despite his impressive form, the France international faces major competition at Anfield following Liverpool’s club-record deal for Alexander Isak.
Discussing Isak’s arrival from Newcastle United, Ekitike said: ‘I think it’s good with players in such a big club.
‘I can’t see one big club playing with only one striker, so I think it’s good that he’s here.
‘Even for me at my age, I think I still have a lot of things to improve and learn, so for me it’s good that he’s here.
‘[As for if we can play together] that’s for the coach to decide how he wants to play. That’s not me.
‘But obviously it’s great players. I’ve been playing in two-striker composition, one striker, so I can do a lot of things. If we have to play together, I can do that.’
Both Ekitike and Isak were on target in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton last week but the former was sent off for taking his shirt off celebrating his late winner.
‘I think that wasn’t smart,’ Ekitike admitted after being suspended for Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace. ‘Obviously I punished myself alone, I’d say.
‘I felt a bit disappointed to watch the boys from home last Saturday but, as I said [on Instagram], I apologise to everybody already, to my team-mates.
‘That kind of thing won’t happen again. I just move on now. I am just looking forward to playing and I just focus on football.’
Ekitike will hope to mark his return to the team with a goal when Liverpool face Turkish giants Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
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