Luis Suarez praises 'unbelievable' Anfield fans after signing new Liverpool contract

Luis Suarez has cited the "unbelievable" Liverpool fans and the people of the city behind his reasoning for signing a new long- term contract with the club.

Suarez, who joined Liverpool in January 2011 for £22.8million from Ajax, yesterday pledged his future to the Reds just days before the start of the new Premier League campaign.

The news is a real coup for new Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers given Suarez had been linked with a move away from Anfield, with Italian giants Juventus understood to be leading the chase.

Although Suarez has had his fair share of problems since joining Liverpool, notably the alleged racial abuse of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, life on Merseyside is to his taste.

"To sign a new contract with Liverpool is unbelievable for me because I am so happy here at the club and also in the city," said Suarez, who has scored 21 goals in 52 appearances for the Reds.

"That is important for me and I am very happy with my new contract.

"When you are a kid, everybody wants to play for Liverpool. I am here now and it is a dream for me, and now I am a Liverpool fan.

"I am happy off the pitch because the people of Liverpool are good with me and my family.

"I try my best on the pitch and when you are happy off the pitch, you are happy on the pitch.

"I want to say thank you to the fans because they are our 12th player. The supporters of Liverpool are unbelievable.

"Five or six years ago I watched on TV the stadium and the club, and now I play here and the supporters have helped me. That's very important for me."

Rodgers claims that since his arrival at the club he has been in constant contact with Suarez, who has recently been on Olympics duty for his country.

That, too, appears to have played a pivotal role in Suarez opting to put pen to paper for a second time with Liverpool.

Speaking on Liverpoolfc.com Suarez added: "He is a good person. I spoke with him last week and he spoke fantastic to me.

"We know what he wants. He wants us to play with the ball all of the time and it's very important.

"I think he is a good manager. I was impressed with the work he did with Swansea last season.

"We played them twice, and they tried to take the ball from us in good positions with lots of pressure.

"I think Brendan will try the same with Liverpool and we will all try to do our best."

Rodgers knew it was vital to get Suarez on side immediately as he said: "There were certainly a few clubs interested in him.

"But over the off-season he and I communicated well and he's committed himself for the long term here now.

"He's really looking forward to playing in this way of working.

"As a manager and for the supporters, I'm delighted because I know how important he is for them."

PA