Roy Hodgson admits it's becoming more difficult for Liverpool to compete at the top of the table.
The new Liverpool manager says the increased spending power of those around them presents a new challenge for the fallen giants.
He told liverpoolfc.tv: "Absolutely. Money does talk - there's no question of that. The game is about football players, and less about managers and administrators.
"Football players are who we pay to watch and when they're talented, they're in a good market because it seems there are few good players and lots of clubs chasing those players, which pushes the prices up both for them and in terms of transfer fees.
"There's no doubt the classic top four has now definitely become a top seven or eight and might even stretch down further than that.
"We know the extent of the challenge, but the good thing is hopefully it won't be any easier for teams like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to see off the challenges of Tottenham, Aston Villa, Everton and Man City than it will be for the likes of us."
