You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Ian Ayre insists Liverpool FC's pursuit of new talent isn't being hampered by their tour of the Far East and Australia.

The Reds' managing director says being 7,500 miles away from Merseyside is no barrier to getting deals done.

“We were very active very early in the window and were well prepared,” he said.

“We did some good work with four signings in a short period time and that work continues.

“Just because we are here in Asia it doesn't mean we aren't talking to clubs and players.

“I was awake until 4am today talking to people. That work goes on in order to help us achieve our objectives.”

Ayre was speaking at a press conference in Jakarta to announce a two-year extension to the club's main sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered.

The initial four-year contract, worth up to £20million per year, expires next summer but the lucrative partnership with the bank will now run until the end of the 2015/16 season.

“It's an honour and a pleasure to extend this existing deal,” Ayre said.

“We've already enjoyed three excellent years with Standard Chartered and we want to continue in that vein.

“Many think it's just about the money but the most important factor is having someone aligned with your values, objectives and target markets

“We think of ourselves at Liverpool FC as the world's biggest family. We couldn't be more unified than in our work with Standard Chartered. Doing good around this region is at the heart of what we do together.

“Standard Chartered are the force behind our arrival here as the tour sponsor for our first ever visit to Indonesia.”

The bank's name has appeared on the Reds' shirts since July 2010 with Standard Chartered and Liverpool FC working together on a number of high profile global campaigns including 'Seeing Is Believing' which helps to tackle avoidable blindness.

Peter Sands, group chief executive of Standard Chartered, said: “Our sponsorship of Liverpool FC has proved successful for both parties and we are delighted to be extending our partnership.

“Liverpool are hugely popular in the markets where we do business, and we are excited about the opportunity to continue to work with this fantastic club and their passionate fans.”