Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish says Sebastian Coates is a good character to have around the club.

Coates joined Liverpool on the back of an impressive Copa America, in which he was named as the Young Player of the Tournament as Uruguay claimed the title.

But Dalglish admits it wasn't just his footballing ability that persuaded the Reds to make their move.

"He would not be here if he wasn't grounded," said the Scot in liverpoolfc.tv. "It wasn't as though we plucked him out of thin air and never did any homework on him.

"He was Young Player of the Tournament at the Copa America and they (Uruguay) won it, so I think that speaks for his footballing credentials. As a person, we wanted to make sure he was good - and he is good.

"We're delighted with the progress he's made. He's a valued member of the squad and we're fortunate to have him in it and able to pick."