Liverpool's managing director has insisted that the club do not need to finish in a Champions League place to be active in the transfer market this summer.

The Reds are currently seventh in the Premier League table and look unlikely to cement a top-four finish.

Despite losing out on the financial benefits of Champions League football, Ayre believes that Liverpool will still be able to secure their targets.

"We have always said it's about progress. When we brought these owners in and we all sat down, we didn't make the plan based on one year or two years, we made our plan in the long term," he told Sky Sports News.

"It's about making progress and we have definitely made progress this season; already won one trophy, the semi-final of another, 10 games to play for 30 points, so it's about that.

"[Director of football] Damien [Comolli], Kenny, everybody involved in looking, assessing and signing players, will make those decisions based on what we need, not on where we finish in the league."

Liverpool take on Queens Park Rangers this evening.