Coates thanks 'big brother' Luis
Sebastian Coates today thanked 'big brother' Luis Suarez and the club's other South American stars for helping him settle into life in England.
The defender moved from his native Uruguay this summer and, having only just turned 21 last month, the transition was always going to be difficult.
But after developing a close friendship with players like Suarez, Lucas Leiva and Maxi Rodriguez, Coates is enjoying his new life.
Not that Suarez has taken on a fatherly role - as the striker jokingly suggested earlier this season.
"He is like a bigger brother, not like a father," said Coates. "I appreciate very much all the help he has given me since I've been here.
"I'm not sure if he persuaded me to come - he encouraged me. He told me about life in Liverpool, at Liverpool Football Club. He also told me what a great club Liverpool was in Europe and England but I knew that.
"I'm settling in very well. I'm getting used to the city, getting used to the people and getting used to English football. I've had the help of Lucas and Luis and Maxi. That helps me very much.
"It is difficult but when I started my career as a footballer I was aware there was a possibility I'd have to move to play football in a different country. You have to adapt and make the best of a situation like this.
"For myself and my family, the most difficult thing is the language. We're trying to learn English as quickly as possible so we can improve our quality of life in this country. The other thing is the weather - but I came here to play football, not for the weather."
Coates has played just 243 minutes for Liverpool so far, mostly in the Carling Cup.
Much of his work to date has been on the training pitch, where he is studying the skills of fellow centre-backs Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger.
"I think I've done well so far," said the Uruguayan, who won best young player at this summer's Copa America. "We've won the matches I've played in but I've got lots of time in which to learn, and I am learning, little by little.
"The other centre-backs have treated me well and helped me very much. We have a very healthy competition between us because, logically, a player always wants to play football but they've given me a lot of advice. I've been able to learn a lot from them.
"I hope to play many games for Liverpool and do very well for the club. I hope I'll stay here a long time and contribute much to Liverpool Football Club."
Liverpool fans could get another glimpse of Coates tonight when the team faces Chelsea in the Carling Cup quarter-final.
So how does he feel about the prospect of potentially marking Fernando Torres?
"I would treat him the same as any other forward player," he said. "It could be Drogba or anyone else. I'm aware Fernando Torres had very good history with Liverpool but nevertheless I'd try to mark him the best I could.
"It would mean a lot to win this competition in my first season. It's very important to me to arrive and try to make history so soon."