Ayre highlights Reds' balance

Managing director Ian Ayre believes Liverpool have the best balance of any team in the Barclays Premier League.

Ayre cited the mix of club stalwarts Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, world-class stars like Luis Suarez and rising young talents including Raheem Sterling. Liverpool again seem unlikely to break into the Champions League places this season, with Brendan Rodgers' side currently lying eighth in the table, nine points adrift of the top four.

The Reds' relative lack of success on the field has prompted speculation about the future of some of their big-name players and Ayre told the Liverpool Echo: "Of course we have to progress to be able to hang on to our world-class talent. You need to have a mix in your squad and we have probably got the best balance in terms of any team in the league."

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