Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers wants a switch in transfer policy. Rodgers has cranked up the pressure on John W Henry and his Boston-based Fenway Sports Group when he admitted that money is now needed to buy world-class players.

"A large part of our squad is young players but there's no doubt that if you want to take steps forward, you need to sign ready-made players," said Rogers, who saw the club invest the £75million raised on the sale of Luis Suarez in the summer on a clutch of signings with potential.

"The model at the football club is clear in that the owners want to bring in young players in order to develop and create them into world class players.

"Of course, that can be a longer and more difficult process. It is certainly something I know the owners look at. They know that not every player can be a developer.

"If you're going to keep progressing, you also need those ready-made players."