Coates: Suarez convinced me to join Reds

New Liverpool signing Sebastian Coates has hailed the influence of fellow countryman Luis Suarez in convincing him to join the Anfield club.

Coates, who joined on Tuesday for a fee understood to be around seven million pounds, was talked into signing for the club by his friend Suarez after the former Ajax man told the 20-year-old how passionate the Liverpool fans are.

He also spoke of how Suarez told him about the history of the club, but one of the biggest draws of all was just having a fellow countryman who will help him settle.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv, Coates said: “Luis told me a lot about Liverpool – but about the fans more than anything else.”

“He told me how passionate they are about the club and how supportive they are.”

“I saw that myself on Saturday when the fans really got behind their side against Bolton and that was great to see.”

“Luis also told me about the history and the tradition of the club and now I feel very happy and excited to be here because I have left one great club in Nacional and signed for another great club with a fantastic history.”

“To come to such a big club alongside a fellow countryman is very important for me. I know Luis will help me settle in, we have the same cultures and customs so having him around will help me a lot.”

Coates signs for Liverpool on the back of winning the Copa America with Uruguay, a tournament in which he was named the best young player, and he is in no mood to stop winning trophies.

“You always want to win everything as a player,” he explained. “But in my case I know I have to take things step by step.”

“I have to train hard and be ready to get out onto the field and play.”

“I want to win as much as I can in a Liverpool shirt and that means the league title and any cup competitions we take part in. We have to set our sights high.”

The centre-back hailed the Anfield atmosphere himself, claiming as soon as the match against Bolton started, he just wanted to play.

He concluded: “Even though I hadn’t signed I still wanted to get out there and play.”

“From the moment I sat in the stand I wanted to be out on the pitch.”

“I know that when I do get the chance to play I have to perform to the best of my ability. I’m really happy to be here.”