Buying proven quality this summer is the key to Liverpool FC's progression, according to departing captain Steven Gerrard. 

The Reds have struggled throughout 2014-15 with a youthful crop of players, but the 34-year-old believes that under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers - the Liverpool side can progress well, should he be well backed financially. 

Recent years have seen Liverpool adopt a transfer policy which has seen them bring in players full of potential, but not many who have been experienced and established in Europe - something which has to change, Gerrard says.

"I think we have got the right owners in charge and the right manager," said the Liverpool captain, who plays his final game at Anfield against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"I think there is a core of potential. The important thing for me is adding some players to that who are ready.

"For me, I wouldn’t buy any more potential in the short-term. I would buy players that are ready to come and fight and win and help this team to be successful."

This season has seen the Reds crash out of all their cup competitions, reaching the final four of both the Capital One Cup and the FA Cup and Gerrard believes the loss of Suarez and Sturridge's injury troubles have hardly helped.

"In the cups this season, we have come mighty close, going out in two semi-finals. As far as the league is concerned, it was always going to be tough when we lost Luis (Suarez)," he said.

"I thought we could definitely finish in the top four positions if we kept Daniel Sturridge fit and he could perform like he did alongside Luis.

"To get into the top four, you are going to need a striker who can score 25 to 30 goals a season. That is just the way it is. That is where we came up short this season.

"I obviously don’t want to stand on the owners or Brendan’s toes, I am just speaking as a fan and having an opinion on where Liverpool are at this moment. That is what we need to do.

"We need to bring players in those forward positions that can score 25 to 30 goals and you will see Liverpool do an awful lot better next season."

Gerrard has been hailed by young prospects and experienced names alike when they have joined the club, and he becomes one of the latest of Liverpool's big names to leave the Reds.

But the captain believes that though he is departing from Merseyside, the club will not lose out in the transfer market for a lack of pulling power.

"I don’t think people come because of me, Jamie Carragher or anyone else," he said.

"I think they come because of the badge and the club, the wonderful history and tradition. With the way football has gone, players want to play in the Champions League. That is the key.

"You try and push into the top four. That is the disappointing thing from this season. We have come up a bit short, but there is no doubt in my mind that if we had Daniel fit from day one, we would be talking about Champions League for this team this year."

Gerrard's absence will also leave a significant loss of local influence in the Liverpool side, who only have Jon Flanagan amongst the current first-team crop who resides from the local area.

But the captain, who emerged through the Liverpool Academy, believes that the most important thing is simply remaining an attractive option to Europe's best players.

"People say it’s vital to have local players," he said.

"I think that’s nice but I don’t think it is the be all and end all. I think it is important there is a group of players here that are very good footballers and they have got a coach in charge who is very good tactically. That is when success comes.

"I don’t think it will come down to whether there is a Scouse lad or a local lad in the team. That is just a bonus for the supporters because they can feel a connection.

"The important thing for the future is that we keep trying to attract world class players that can help contribute to success. That is how you win games and tournaments. It is as simple as that.

"This is too big a club for it not to come good again."