Things could have been so different for Hugo Ekitike had he not waited for Liverpool to make their move this summer.
After a brilliant season with Eintracht Frankfurt, the Frenchman was set to become a key player in the striker merry-go-round between Premier League clubs last year.
Liverpool were rumoured to be interested in Ekitike from as far back as last February, but as July got underway they were still yet to make their move.
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Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring for Liverpool in the Premier League against Newcastle United at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
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That changed in the middle of the month, as Liverpool swung into action following a serious proposal from Newcastle United. Happily, Ekitike preferred the move to Anfield and after completing his switch on July 23rd he has gone on to be a huge success.
His latest crowning moment came against the club he almost joined on Saturday as Ekitike scored twice to help Liverpool beat Newcastle. Having now scored three goals in two appearances against the Geordies, he clearly loves the sight of black and white. But speaking after Liverpoolâs 4-1 win on Saturday, French journalist Julien Laurens detailed just how close he came to wearing the colours on a permanent basis.
Newcastle were waiting at the airport for Hugo Ekitike
Ekitikeâs non-arrival in Newcastle became an even bigger story when Liverpool went after Alexander Isak from the Magpies later in the window.
The France international was seen as being the perfect replacement for Isak and many believed Liverpool had shot themselves in the foot by blocking his move to St Jamesâ Park. Unperturbed, Liverpool signed Isak anyway.
Hugo Ekitike gestures towards the Liverpool crowd after scoring during the Premier League match against Newcastle at Anfield.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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Speaking to ESPN FC, however, Laurens confirmed that they very nearly failed to sign Ekitike at all. He claims it came as close as Newcastle âwaiting at the airportâ for the 23-year-old.
âThe irony obviously tonight is that Newcastle thought they had signed Hugo Ekitike, they were waiting for him at the airport for the private jet to land and instead he landed in Liverpool and the rest is history really,â he said.
âAt the time he signed for Liverpool not knowing that Isak would go from Newcastle to Liverpool, he was supposed to be the replacement for Isak at Newcastle.â
We know who played well, but did any Liverpool player concern you against Newcastle?
It wasn't all goodâŚ
Hugo Ekitike celebrates on the pitch at Anfield after Liverpool's win over Newcastle United in the Premier League (Getty Images/Kate McShane).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Kate McShane
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Ekitike is becoming a fan favourite at Liverpool
You only have to watch Ekitike playing for Liverpool to see that he made the right decision this summer.
Yes, the former Eintracht player has been lucky in the sense that Isakâs injury has made him the undisputed main man, but he was outperforming the Swede anyway.
The prospect of facing competition from British footballâs most expensive signing never seemed to faze Ekitike and you can see just how much playing for the club is starting to mean for him.
Committed, passionate and a real character on the pitch, Ekitike is becoming a real favourite at Liverpool and part of that is because of his refusal of Newcastle last year.
Ekitike wound the Newcastle fans up during Saturdayâs win at Anfield, and his near-miss with the Toon will perhaps forever rankle those supporters whenever they watch him play for the Reds.
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