Hugo Ekitike has revealed that pictures of him wearing a classic Steven Gerrard jersey were down to his brother buying him one whilst there were preparing for holiday.

Images of the Frenchman went viral as he donned a vintage Reds top with their iconic captain's name, back when he begun his career and wore No 28. This was whilst he remained a Frankfurt player but Liverpool were known to have been interested before they eventually secured his signature.

The Reds paid £79million to secure Ekitike's services but he claims that picture of him in a Gerrard top were by no means a way of attracting attention or trying to fuel the rumour mill.

The 23-year-old has just enjoyed his breakout campaign in Germany after previously being on PSG's books. Liverpool fought off competition from Newcastle to land Ekitike but the player has explained his Gerrard snaps.

He told the club's website: "The story behind it is that I was going on vacation and obviously I had some training [sessions]. I like vintage jerseys and my brother went to the shop and bought that one and obviously you know the next part of the story: now I am here! He is maybe the first legend here at Liverpool so yeah, big up to him and it’s a very good jersey."

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Gerrard remains an iconic figure at Anfield and is seen by many as their greatest ever player. He won every honour despite the Premier League, but this current group are now aiming to become the first Reds' side ever to win the competition in successive years.

Arne Slot, who conquered England's top flight at the first attempt, has attacked the transfer market in an effort to make Liverpool an even more formidable outfit. Ekitike will arrive as the team's new frontman and believes now is the right time to make the switch.

The Frenchman said: "I think that was the right moment. I came to the Bundesliga hungry, I wanted to show that I’m a good player and I can make the difference on the pitch. I think I did well last season. Now, I feel ready to make a bigger step and to play on the highest level, to improve myself, to see what I can do. That’s why I think it’s the right timing for me and the perfect moment to come here."

Liverpool have also added Florian Wirtz for a British-record fee from Bayer Leverkusen. Defensively the Reds have also bought in Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. Now there is talk of Alexander Isak joining from Newcastle.

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