Luis Suarez: Liverpool is home
Luis Suarez has reiterated his desire to remain at Liverpool for a 'very long time' and revealed how the city feels like home.
The 26-year-old celebrates two years as the club's No.7 today.
Since his transfer from Ajax in January 2011 he has scored 43 goals in 84 appearances and he is the Barclays Premier League's second top goalscorer this season with 17.
Suarez - who signed a new contract in the summer - is eager to keep scoring goals in a Liverpool shirt for many years to come.
"I hope [to be at Liverpool] for a very long time because it's a massive club that kids dream about playing for," the 60-times Uruguay international told Liverpoolfc.com.
"I've been very proud to be at a club like Liverpool and to have made the decision to come here. In two years I've lived through some spectacular and very special moments that I will never, ever forget.
"There have been a few difficult times as well, but with the support of my family, the club and the fans, things have gone well for me.
"I do feel at home here. When I'm out and about, all I get is support and encouragement from the local people and that's very important, and when I come here to the club I feel like people have known me all my life. That also helps a great deal to making me feel so at home.
"I hope to be able to help out the team for as long as I possibly can while trying do something to make the club and the fans very happy."
Suarez was born fourth of seven brothers and learned to play football on the streets of Uruguay's third most populous city, Salto, before moving to the capital Montevideo.
At the age of 11 he had to decline an offer to attend a national team training camp because he could not afford football boots, but he would go on to earn international recognition at U20, U23 and senior level.
So how did his upbringing of street football prepare him for the Premier League?
"I don't know about that!" said Suarez. "It's a massive difference between street football in Uruguay and football in the Premier League.
"I think maybe I did pick up things playing in the street that maybe I wouldn't have learned playing on a proper pitch. They're different cultures and ways of life.
"It was a way of learning football that I do not regret for a minute. If anything, just the opposite. I'm grateful for all I learned there and I've got to where I am today partly thanks to all that."
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While the adult Suarez never concedes an inch on the pitch, away from the gaze of the media and television cameras he enjoy a more serene existence.
"When I finish training I try and get home and always have lunch with my wife while our little girl is still in nursery," he said.
"Then we go and pick her up from nursery and we always like to try and have a walk or go to the park or somewhere she can play.
"Sometimes we go into town for a stroll round because I never have any problem, and that's why I feel very happy here."