Suarez commits to Liverpool

Luiz Suarez has ended speculation regarding his future by signing a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

Striker Suarez had been linked with a move to Juventus, with the Italian giants reportedly planning a double swoop on the Barclays Premier League by also poaching Arsenal's Robin van Persie.

But despite occasionally troubled times on Merseyside, the Uruguay international has given new Reds manager Brendan Rodgers a boost ahead of the new season by committing himself to the Reds cause.

Suarez, back in training at Melwood following his recent involvement in Uruguay's failed bid for Olympic gold, has confirmed he could not be more content with life on Merseyside.

"To sign a new contract with Liverpool is unbelievable for me because I am so happy here at both the club and also in the city," Suarez told Liverpoolfc.com.

"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 said: "When you have the opportunity to work with world-class players it's fantastic. There were certainly a few clubs who were 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."