**You’ve had to pick a new shirt number because Virgil is our No.4. Is there a reason you’ve chosen No.33 instead?**
It’s a number that I like, it’s a number that is special to me. Funnily enough, way back when I made my debut as a professional, that was the number that I was wearing back then. But it has a personal meaning for me as well, it has a meaning which is all to do with my faith and my relationship with Jesus and God and religion. It’s a subject I spoke about and had a good conversation with my friends, my family, my partner and my parents. It’s a number I’m very pleased on a number of levels to be wearing.
**It’s 15 years now since we first signed a Uruguayan player, which was** [**Luis Suarez**](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/luis-suarez)**. Do you have any memories of watching him at Liverpool?**
Of course I did. We loved watching the English Premier League and everyone in Uruguay gets up early in the morning to catch the games. Of course as a kid I used to watch Luis playing all those fantastic games for Liverpool. We all know what he achieved, the history that he made within this club during his time here. So it’s fantastic. From minute one, I’ve been sort of asked about that kind of comparison since I’ve arrived here. I get on really well with him, we’re quite close. Just a few minutes ago I got a good luck message from him saying all the best, you’ve joined a great club and all the very best for your time here.
**You’ve never played at Anfield before in your career, but you must know all about it and its reputation?**
Of course I’m aware of what a fantastic atmosphere it is. Everyone in the game knows just how special the atmosphere is on a matchday at Anfield. I’ve never had the chance to play here, as you say, but I’m aware of the kind of atmosphere that’s generated and the pressure that the home fans build up on visitors coming here. I’m excited to get the chance to experience that for myself and get out there and play.
**You’ve been in pre-season with Barcelona, so how are you feeling fitness-wise and how ready are you for the season?**
Off the back of the World Cup, I had two weeks’ break but since then I’ve been in pre-season training with Barcelona and, to be fair, that’s been a decent pace and rhythm. I’m feeling good at the moment, I’m feeling in shape. Obviously, we’ve still got almost a couple of weeks now before the league season starts here at Liverpool. That’s what we’re working for. I think I’ll be ready, I think I’ll be in good physical shape to be ready to make a start.