HUGO EKITIKE aimed a cheeky gesture at the Newcastle support after receiving stick over his summer transfer saga.
Eddie Howe wanted the Liverpool striker at St James’ Park before his move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Anfield.
It’s a transfer that could reach £79million – with £69m paid up front with the rest in add-ons.
The Toon had a £70m offer of their own booted out and after then selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British record fee, they splashed out to bring in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
During the Premier League encounter, Ekitike was given stick over the summer pursuit by the travelling support – but he would have the last laugh.
He grabbed a quick-fire brace in the first-half to turn the game on its head after Anthony Gordon had fired the away side in front.
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Florian Wirtz – another mega money signing for Liverpool – grabbed the third and when Ekitike was replaced by Curtis Jones in the 84th minute he made sure to give a little back to the Newcastle fans.
As he walked off he could be seen taunting the Toon Army by showing a ‘3-1 hand gesture’ to reflect the score line at the time.
There was still time for the champions to rub further salt into the wounds when Ibrahima Konate scored a fourth in added-time.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was part of the TNT Sports pundit team and he gave his reaction to the cheeky taunt.
He said: “It is just a bit of banter.
“The players take enough stick from the stands.
“This is him just rubbing it in a bit.”
It was a welcomed three points for Arne Slot’s men who jumped above Manchester United into fifth spot ahead of the Red Devils’ game with Fulham.
Chelsea occupy fourth spot after their comeback win over West Ham, with the defending champions just one point behind the Blues.
In terms of league leaders Arsenal, it is a 14 point difference.
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