NEXT SUAREZ

Next Suarez in Reds' sights
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/next-suarez-in-reds-sights
Author: Paul Hassall

Damien Comolli has revealed that Liverpool are in talks to develop a partnership that could see them recruit the next Luis Suarez.

The Reds secured the signature of their second Uruguayan last week when Sebastian Coates put pen to paper on a long-term deal.

The negotiations further strengthened the club's links with Nacional and our Director of Football admits we are now close to establishing a formal relationship.

Comolli told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I've got to thank the people from Nacional, the directors and their chairman, because they have been very helpful. They tried to help the player (Coates) complete his will, which was to come here.

"They tried to find a solution for us to make it happen. We now have strong links with them because both Luis Suarez and Sebastian Coates have come from this club and been developed by their academy.
"We are talking about a partnership with them that we would like to create over the next three, four or five years, to see if there is more talent coming through. Maybe we can help them to develop their standards and in turn have the ability to bring those young players here.
"
During the Copa America they had 14 players out of the 23 who had at some point played at Nacional or were developed by Nacional. That is a fantastic record for their academy.
"So it is very interesting for us. We already have a strong link with South America through Lucas, Maxi and Luis.

"Since it's been such a success with Luis - and I'm sure it will be for Sebastian - why don't we try to make it an even bigger success by bringing in other players from Nacional?"

COATES SIGN

Coates: Suarez key to deal
31st Aug 2011

Sebastian Coates today revealed how Luis Suarez's love for Liverpool fans helped convince him to sign for the Reds.

The 20-year old Uruguay international put pen to paper on a long-term deal at Melwood on Tuesday evening after finalising his transfer from Nacional - and immediately hailed Suarez's contribution in securing his Anfield arrival.

"Luis told me a lot about Liverpool - but about the fans more than anything else," said Coates, in an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv. "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 and Suarez celebrated success on the international stage in the summer as Uruguay landed the Copa America - with our latest signing being named the Young Player of the tournament in Argentina.

Having tasted success with his country, he's now setting his sights on helping Liverpool land silverware over the coming years.
"You always want to win everything as a player but in my case I know I have to take things step by step," he added. "I have to train hard ad 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."

Coates has already experienced the Anfield atmosphere after watching the weekend victory over Bolton from the Director's Box - but he's hoping to spend more time on the pitch than in the stands in the future.

"Even though I hadn't signed I still wanted to get out there and play," he said. "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. When I arrived at the stadium on Saturday I was treated very well by everybody and I hope to repay all those good wishes in the future."

Sebastian Coates today revealed how Luis Suarez's love for Liverpool fans helped convince him to sign for the Reds.

The 20-year old Uruguay international put pen to paper on a long-term deal at Melwood on Tuesday evening after finalising his transfer from Nacional - and immediately hailed Suarez's contribution in securing his Anfield arrival.

"Luis told me a lot about Liverpool - but about the fans more than anything else," said Coates, in an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv. "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 and Suarez celebrated success on the international stage in the summer as Uruguay landed the Copa America - with our latest signing being named the Young Player of the tournament in Argentina.

Having tasted success with his country, he's now setting his sights on helping Liverpool land silverware over the coming years.
"You always want to win everything as a player but in my case I know I have to take things step by step," he added. "I have to train hard ad 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."

Coates has already experienced the Anfield atmosphere after watching the weekend victory over Bolton from the Director's Box - but he's hoping to spend more time on the pitch than in the stands in the future.

"Even though I hadn't signed I still wanted to get out there and play," he said. "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. When I arrived at the stadium on Saturday I was treated very well by everybody and I hope to repay all those good wishes in the future."


Author: Paul Eaton

7 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT SEBASTIAN COATES

According to BBC Sport, Liverpool will sign Nacional centre-back Sebastián Coates for £12 million.

The 6'6" 20-year-old Uruguyan is set to fill the void left by Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who moved to Wolfsburg on a free transfer.

For the Liverpool fans who didn't watch the Copa América or don't follow Nacional, here are the seven things you must know about your new defensive acquisition. 

 1. When A.C. Milan bought Kaká, his younger, and less talented, brother Digão came as part of the package. With Liverpool, not only have they bought one of the best forwards in the world, Luis Suárez's influence in bringing along compatriot and talented youngster Sebastián Coates should be thanked.
Rather then sit idly and watch as the saga unfolded, Suárez rung Coates up and told him to come to Liverpool.
Coates said, "He [Suárez] got in touch with me and we had a chat. It is good there is another Uruguayan already in the team - it is easier if there is someone I know well."

2. Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was hopeful of signing Sebastián Coates (though apparently management said no more spending).
Not that it would have mattered given that Coates told Ovacion,
"I'd prefer Liverpool to Manchester City [...] The Liverpool offer ticks all boxes, so fair to say it's a done deal. Luis's success is important for me as another Uruguayan joining."

3. For someone as imposing as Sebastián Coates is, he's not particuarly physical—certainly nowhere near as psycho as partner Diego Lugano.
The more games you watch of Coates, the more you find yourself uttering good positional sense.
Certainly from a defensive perspective, his football IQ is very high in predicting or having a good idea of where the opposing player will go.
Lugano is kneejerk, body on the line, overaggressive and safety first; Coates is the opposite in being calm, cool and, when in possession, looks up and surveys which option is best.
However, this could also be a bad thing as there were certain instances where he was very close to losing possession because he dibble dabbled.
The 2009 Copa Libertadores semifinal springs to mind, where it was Coates being too slow to release the ball which led to Mauro Boselli, the Wigan Athletic flop, scoring for Estudiantes.

4. Sebastián Coates wasn't supposed to start for Uruguay in the Copa América, nor was he even in the picture to be a legitimate partner to Diego Lugano.
If not for an untimely injury to first choice centre-back Diego Godín, and then an injury to backup Mauricio Victorino, Coates would have warmed the benches.
Credit to him who took the opportunity and ran with it.

5. Sebastián Coates was an excellent foil to Diego Lugano, who was winning challenges left, right and centre.
I ranked Coates as the sixth best player in the Copa América, with his partner Lugano ranking in at third.
Coates was easily the standout young player in the tournament and was awarded the Trophy Claro (though I do wonder if Coates would have played so well if he wasn't partnered up with Lugano).
For Coates to succeed, he needs to play with a more dominant, a more aggressive, a more fearless centre-back.

6. Back in June, a month before the Copa América, Ovacion reportedthat São Paulo was close to signing Sebastián Coates.
Obviously after Coates' breakout performances, European clubs like Porto, Manchester City and Liverpool became very interested.
Porto would have been a good stepping stone, but it seems Coates is confident he can break into the Liverpool first 11 and cement a position. I was wikiing Sami Hyypiä to see how old he was when he signed for Liverpool, but lo and behold, he shares the same birthday as Sebastián Coates.

7. I was wondering if anyone has noticed it, but I found out it was already a widespread reported little fact; which just goes to show how many people notice odd quirky things like me.
Oh and if you were wondering, Hyypiä was 25 years old when he signed for Liverpool.

LIVERPOOL IN NEGOTIATION TO SIGN SEBASTIAN COATES

Liverpool are currently in advanced negotiations with the 20-year-old Uruguyan's club Nacional over the deal.
The £12m-rated centre-back impressed in Uruguay's Copa America triumph in July and is keen to join international team-mate Luis Suarez at Anfield.
He would be Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's sixth signing of the summer.
Dalglish is keen to strengthen his defensive resources after Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos left for Wolfsburg on a free transfer and 6ft 6in Coates, 20, is seen not only as another quality addition but also a sound investment for the future.
Manchester City have been strongly linked with Coates but Liverpool are now firm favourites to add Coates to Dalglish's other summer signings Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Dowing and Jose Enrique.
Adding another central defender became Dalglish's top priority after completing deal with Newcastle United for left-back Enrique - and talks are progressing to conclude a move for Coates.

Right Attacking Midfield: Luis Suarez

Right Attacking Midfield
First Name Luis
Surname Suárez
Squad Number 7
Position Forward
Height 1.81m
Weight 81 kg
D.O.B. 24 Jan 1987
Town of Birth Salto
Country of Birth Uruguay
Nationality Uruguay