Thursday, 17th January, 2013

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre believes that the Reds can still attract the best players in world football, despite having suffered a decline in recent years.

The Merseyside giants have finished seventh, sixth and eighth in the last three seasons, while at present they sit eighth and are led by a manager in Brendan Rodgers, who counts only Watford, Reading and Swansea amongst his former clubs, and thus lacks a worldwide reputation.



But Ayre is sure that Liverpool are still in the elite bracket when it comes to the best players in the world wanting to play for them.

"Can Liverpool still attract the best? Absolutely. Not only attract the best there is but also retain the best there is. Look at the commitment shown by the likes of [Luis] Suarez, [Daniel] Agger, [Martin] Skrtel and [Raheem] Sterling, who have all signed new deals", he told Liverpool’s official site.

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"All the players we have got to commit, whether they’re players coming in or those already here, shows that people believe in the plan and they believe in the manager.

"I certainly have never been in any negotiation over the past year or so where any player or agent has told us that they don’t think Liverpool is big enough or bright enough as an opportunity.

"We remain a world class club and a world class attraction to players. I read that Daniel Sturridge said he has joined the biggest club in the Premier League – that says it all. Here’s a player who has played for Chelsea and Manchester City. He had seen the size, the power of this club and what it means after just a few days in the place."

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool will splash the cash once again during the current transfer window and when they will again sign a player universally acknowledged as from the very top table.

At present the club are battling to find the consistency which would help a push for a top four Champions League spot. Indeed, Liverpool have not yet beaten any of the sides sitting above them in the Premier League table so far this season.

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