Coates: I want to do it again
Sebastian Coates today revealed how he's hoping to earn more first-team opportunities next season and the chance to prove his Queens Park Rangers wondergoal wasn't a one off.
The 21-year-old found the back of the net at Loftus Road last month with an acrobatic scissor-kick - his first for the Reds and a definite goal-of-the-season contender on his ninth appearance for the club.
Coates feels he's adjusting well to life in English football following his transfer from Nacional last August, but accepts he still has more to learn before he can challenge for a regular starting berth in Kenny Dalglish's XI.
"I'm hoping to keep adapting to English football and the Premier League," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"The football is quicker here than in Uruguay, and it's stronger and more aggressive. That's something I'm going to have to keep working towards and adapting my game to.
"I think it's gone well so far. Obviously I would like some more opportunities to play, but I am also conscious of the fact I have to be patient and wait for those opportunities to come my way.
"I've learned a lot from Jamie, Martin and Daniel. They are different players with different characteristics, but I have picked things up from all of them and I will continue to try and do that.
"I've enjoyed playing at Anfield. Everybody told me what it would be like to play there, and it's been very special.
"The goal for the team is to win as many matches as we can. My personal goal is to try and adapt even more to the (English) game so next season I can play more."
Coates's acrobatic strike against QPR had everyone talking, but the Uruguay international admits he couldn't take too much satisfaction from it as Liverpool ultimately lost the game 3-2.
Nonetheless, he's not ruling out the possibility of doing it again one day.
Coates said: "It was a beautiful goal, but the unfortunate thing was we did not win the game.
"It was a good goal and I'd never scored one in that way before. I scored goals in Uruguay, but never like that!
"I hope I can repeat it again one day - but I hope if I do, we win the match as well.
"I don't necessarily practice my attacking in training. I think it's down to whether you're in the opponent's area, or not.
"Martin (Skrtel) has scored a few goals this season, and I think it's about being in the right place."
Away from the pitch, Coates is enjoying life in the city and feels there are similarities between Liverpool and his hometown of Montevideo in Uruguay.
And while the defender is happy with the way his English is coming along, he admits he's still getting to grips with the Scouse accent.
"I think I've settled in well," said Coates. "It has helped having people around me like Lucas, Maxi and Luis. I feel very comfortable here.
"Liverpool is actually quite similar to where I'm from, Montevideo in Uruguay - the only difference really is the climate!
"In my spare time, I like to go to Liverpool One, or meet up in either Maxi or Luis's houses. We have some old customs, and we all like to share a drink which is called 'mate'. You may have seen Luis with this - it's a traditional Uruguayan tea.
"My English is coming along good. I've got an English teacher, so hopefully it will continue to get better, but it can be difficult to understand the Scouse accent! I've been in London and listened to their accent. It's a little bit different here in Liverpool, but I'm getting there."