BRENDAN RODGERS insists Liverpool can still attract top class talent as he admits ‘two or three’ attacking signings are vital during the January transfer window.

The Reds boss knows this week's League Cup exit at the hands of Swansea City exposed the limitations of his squad.

However, Rodgers says he has been guaranteed funds to strengthen in the new year and despite the club's continued absence from the Champions League, he believes the lure of Anfield remains as great as ever.

“We are looking to identify players who can come in January and really take the club forward,” he said. “We moved a lot of players on in the summer and that has obviously left us thin. Now we need to improve that in January.

“I just feel January is a window to freshen up the squad with a number of names. We need players in as quick as we can.

“At the top end of the field, we need that help and support. That might take two or three players to do that.

“This football club and its history will always attract top players. There is a real mystique and feel about playing for Liverpool.

“Look at Nuri Sahin. He could have gone to a number of Champions League clubs and was on his way to a Champions League club (Arsenal) until the interest from ourselves arrived.

“The great support, the history of the club drew him here.

“This is a club that will always draw top players but we want to get it back to the top echelons of the game, which will make it much easier.”

Rodgers, whose side entertain Newcastle at Anfield tomorrow, is confident there will be no repeat of the mistakes which were made back in the summer.

Liverpool were left desperately short of firepower after failing to sign a replacement for Andy Carroll, who joined West Ham on a season-long loan.

“The summer was a learning curve for everyone with a new manager, a new group of people and new communication,” he added.

“I was virtually in here on my own in the summer. We had no recruitment team and it was very difficult. We have got a very smooth process in place now.

“I have got guys out there, all over the world, working very hard and trying to see what players are available and, ultimately, affordable.

“The owners have been brilliant with me. They have been very open and we have good, regular communication.

“I want to push us on. We just need to get in a few players who can make a massive difference for us.

“We are implementing a game-model here that I hope will see improvements for many years but ultimately you need players.”

Owners Fenway Sports Group are keen on investing in youth and in August they refused to back Rodgers' pursuit of 29-year-old Clint Dempsey.

But the Northern Irishman, who has no plans to recall Carroll in January, dismissed suggestions he has been told he can only sign players 23 or under.

He said: “I can honestly say I was never given that stipulation.

“There is no doubt the owners want to bring in players who we can develop and improve but they are also aware that you need to have experienced players.

“You need to bring in players that have played games and can allow your young players to develop. I know the owners have taken that on board through the conversations we have had. Players between 22 and 29 are in their asset age and it is a great time to get players.

“The confidence that the supporters can take from this time is that some of our biggest players have committed to the club for the future.

“In football, if players aren’t seeing a future going forward, they are off. We have got Daniel Agger, Luis Suarez and Martin Skrtel who have done that. A number of other guys are looking to do that too.

“But we have to get good players around them or else we will have top players, a great game model but not all the top players to implement it.

“This season was always going to be that season of transition, but it won’t stop us being motivated to fight on.

“What I do know is that we need that support. I am hopeful we can get that in January and really kick on in the second half of the season.”