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Ian Ayre admits Liverpool are relishing the prospect of facing Real Madrid as the chief executive revealed the club are unlikely to sign anyone else prior to Monday's transfer deadline.

The Reds have been drawn alongside the European champions as well as FC Basel and Ludogorets in Group B of the Champions League.

"I just spoke to Brendan and he watched the draw from his office at the training ground. They are all tough groups but we're pleased," Ayre said.

"it's particularly special to have Real Madrid in the group. We've got great memories of previous games against them.

"It's fantastic. When you look at Liverpool as a football club, it's our competition.

"We're the five-times winners and we're playing against a club who has just won it for the 10th time which makes it a very special group."

Ludogorets are an unknown quantity but Ayre says the Reds will start doing their homework on the Bulgarian minnows.

"When I spoke to Brendan he said the process starts now in terms of scouting them and analysing," he said.

"We treat every team the same. There is a great team behind the team at Liverpool and I'm confident we'll get the best information on the opposition. Our expectation is the same as it was before the draw - to qualify from the group."

Liverpool completed their ninth signing of the summer when Mario Balotelli joined in a £16million deal from AC Milan on Monday but Ayre doesn't forsee any more incomings.

"Mario is settling in great," he added.

"I spent a lot of time with him on Monday finishing off the contract. He's very excited about the season ahead and has been in training with the lads this week.

"I think in terms of activity we're pretty much finished. We're always looking to see what's out there but in the main I think we're done on people coming in. "