Ian Ayre
Ian Ayre works closely with Liverpool owner Tom Werner as the duo look to restore the club to its glory days. [Reuters]

Liverpool's managing director Ian Ayre believes that the club's lack of European football will not hamper them when it comes to attracting the biggest names over the course of the summer.

Ayre plays an important role when it comes to conducting negotiations for new signings and he believes that Liverpool remain a major draw for any calibre of player because of their rich heritage.

The Reds have already signed Kolo Toure this summer and are said to be close to completing deals for Sporting Lisbon youngster Tiago Ilori and Celta Vigo attacker Iago Aspas.

This trio may have slightly underwhelmed some supporters but Ayre is confident that the club will still attract some top talent over the coming months.

"We can still attract top players to Liverpool," Ayre told the Liverpool Echo. "Look at the last transfer window when we brought in Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge. Both had a huge impact on the team.

"As long as we continue to bring in players of that quality we'll be heading in the right direction. I've never been in negotiations with anyone who has said they don't want to sign for Liverpool because we're not big enough or not successful enough.

"We can still attract top talent. It's about finding the right talent at the right price. The deal has to be right for the club."

Ayre also believes that Liverpool are set for an exciting season after finishing the last campaign with just one defeat in their final 12 games.

Brendan Rodgers appeared to be getting to grips with the task at hand and there is a feeling around the club that they can push on next season and look to try and break into the top four.

"We made a big change a year ago with the ambition of getting Liverpool back where it should be at the top of football," Ayre said. "We changed the manager, we changed the style of play and we changed some players. We said we wanted to build something here.

"Rome wasn't built in a day. If you could just do that in one season then everybody would do it.

"I know from speaking to fans that I think everybody feels we have made progress this year. The style of football we played and some of the fantastic performances showed people what is possible with a little bit more time and a little bit more investment.

"Certainly in the second half of the season when people had got used to the style and when we had the players we needed in place we saw progress on the pitch.

"If we can add quality to the group over the summer and improve on the things which let us down then that will stand us in good stead for next season."

Ayre also made it clear that the ambition of everyone at the club was to make sure that Liverpool returned to playing in the Champions League.

"The expectation is keep progressing and of course our ambition is to play in the Champions League," he added. "This football club is steeped in the tradition of the European Cup. That's where everyone wants to be from the owners down.