Kolo Touré believes Luis Suárez has a better chance of winning trophies by staying at Liverpool than joining Arsenal.

The defender, who has just moved from Manchester City to Liverpool on a free transfer, was a member of the Arsenal Invincibles in 2004 and played in the FA Cup final against Manchester United the following year, the last time the Gunners won a trophy. He himself joined City to win silverware and would advise Suárez, at present in Uruguay and the subject of a £30m bid from Arsenal, that all the ingredients for success can be found on Merseyside.

"Luis Suárez does not need to leave to fulfil his ambitions," Touré said. "If he stays here he will have more chances to win trophies. This club is definitely prepared, the organisation, the mentality of the players, it is amazing. It is a top professional club. I have played against Suárez and he is a fantastic player, one you would want on your side, but in the end it will be up to the club to decide what they think is best for everybody."

Kolo Touré, right, in training at Liverpool with the captain Steven Gerrard. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

The 32-year-old is understood to have gone to Liverpool as back-up to the main centre-half pairing of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, though he insists he sees a first-team role for himself, as the new Jamie Carragher.

"Jamie is retired now, and I think Liverpool were looking for someone of similar experience to replace him," he said. "He was a fantastic player and leader at this club, and I will be trying my best to be the same. To be chosen as Jamie's replacement is an unbelievable honour. I know the competition for first-team places will be tough, but that's what I'm looking for. In the last year at City I didn't get to play in a lot of games and I want more than that. I have come here to play. I have received some advice from Jamie Carragher already and I'm looking forward to getting started. I firmly believe this team is ready to move forward, and I am excited to be a part of that."

Also ready to challenge for a first-team place is Simon Mignolet, the goalkeeper signed from Sunderland, who is only too aware that at present Pepe Reina is the number one choice. "[Liverpool manager] Brendan Rodgers spoke to me about that," he said. "It's not really a conversation that needs to go outside of the club. Everywhere you go there is going to be a fight for places, particularly when you move to a bigger club. I've had competition at Sunderland and with the Belgian national team. It's just part of life, especially for goalkeepers, because there is only one place. But I accept the challenge, it can only make me stronger."