Liverpool chief Ian Ayre admits they've taken a new approach to player contracts.

Player deals are now based on lower basic salaries and more performance-related bonuses.

Ayre told the Liverpool Echo: "The attitude I'm trying to put forward when we're negotiating with agents is that we want to do a contract which is fair for both sides.

"Fair often means the right amount of reward for a player who delivers. Everyone we bring through the door we expect to perform and and do the best they can. As long as any player does that they should be rewarded for it.

"I'm not one of those who subscribes to the idea that players are necessarily overpaid. I think they make a huge contribution to the biggest league in the world.

"From the football club's perspective, our view has to be that people are rewarded for contributing towards what we achieve. As long as contracts are structured in that way then everyone wins.

"If a player performs then he will be rewarded. That's the philosophy of the contracts we are offering and signing."