Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre expects the club to challenge for major honours this season

Liverpool’s chief executive Ian Ayre believes the club will challenge for major honours this season after the Merseyside club landed all their major transfer targets.

Seven new players have arrived at Anfield this summer, including striker Christian Benteke who signed from Aston Villa for £32.5million last month.

Speaking ahead of the Reds’ first game of the season away to Stoke on Sunday, Ian Ayre told the Star that he expects a successful season for the Merseyside club.

Ayre Said: “We set out a plan with Brendan at the start of the summer, and the objectives the manager wanted to achieve.

''We’ve achieved all of them.

''So we are very pleased with how the summer has gone and it’s been kind to us this year.

''It’s interesting because we don’t do anything differently, but sometimes the cards fall in your favour, and sometimes they don’t.”

Liverpool will hope that their new signings inspire them to have a similar season to that of two years ago when the club narrowly missed out on the Premier League title, rather than last seasons disappointing campaign when they finished in 6th place.

The key to a successful Premier League campaign for the Reds will be improving their performance in front of goal. The sale of star striker Luis Suarez last summer combined with the constant injury problems to Daniel Sturridge played a major part in the clubs rather average Premier League showing last season.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will hope that his new signings combined with a fully fit Daniel Sturridge will lead the club to a high finish this time around, the top four and a place in the Champions League is certainly not out of reach.