Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre admits the club's American owners have sought advice from Manchester United and Arsenal about running things at Anfield.

The Kop club's principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner have contacted Old Trafford chief executive David Gill and Ivan Gazidis, chief exec at Arsenal, to pick their brains.

"He and Tom are both very open in their approach," said Ayre. "They'll contact David at United and Ivan at Arsenal - 'What do you think?' That's healthy.

"'Let's get a rounded view of the sport and how we should be doing things.'

"It's better to have an owner who is taking a genuine interest and is well-informed, rather than someone who says, 'I was successful in baseball, so I can do that in soccer.'

"They both put a lot of time into the team and into the game. That bodes well for Liverpool."