Virgil van Dijk coined a phrase, ‘It was always Liverpool,’ when signing his new contract a few months ago. Is that something that resonates with you, in that this was always going to be the best club for you?
Yeah, for me that was the right choice. The way the club works, what I have heard about the people here, the atmosphere, the fans, the stadium, the way they improve players, already champions of the Premier League. 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.
Have you thought yet about what the noise will be like when you score your first goal 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.
What is your message for the Liverpool supporters watching or reading this interview?
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.
Finally, you’ve been smiling throughout this chat. You must be so happy to be here as a Liverpool player?
Yeah, I am really happy. I think it goes really quick and you need to realise that you are here and with [new] people and that’s, I think, what I am doing at the moment. It always takes a bit of time but to come in that way, to Liverpool and to the Premier League, has always been my dream, so also I am very happy and proud of myself.
