Liverpool star Suarez signs new contract at club

LONDON: Luis Suarez has commited his future to Liverpool by signing a new long-term contract, the club confirmed on Friday.

It was not immediately clear how long the deal was for, but Suarez told the club website: "I am delighted to have agreed a new deal with Liverpool and have my future secured for the long term."

Suarez, 26, has been in impressive form after a turbulent summer in which he suggested the club had reneged on an agreement to sell him if they failed to qualify for the Champions League.

It had been expected that talks would continue throughout the season and that the Uruguayan would want to wait and see whether the Reds secured a Champions League place for next season, but the club confirmed he had signed a new deal.

Suarez told the official website www.liverpoolfc.tv: "Without doubt the backing I have received from the Liverpool fans has influenced my decision. I am so proud to represent them and go out to do my best for them every time I pull on the shirt."

Liverpool did not specify the length of Suarez´s new deal but it is expected to make the 26-year-old striker the best-paid player in the club´s history.

Suarez´s spell at Anfield has often been a controversial one after he was handed two long-term bans, one for racially abusing Manchester United´s Patrice Evra and last season for biting Chelsea´s Branislav Ivanovic.

Liverpool had to fend off interest from Arsenal in the summer, who had a bid of £40,000,001 rejected, but their determination to keep Suarez has paid off with the Reds now second in the Premier League with the Uruguayan the leading scorer in the top flight with 17 goals, four ahead of his nearest rival. (AFP)