Are Liverpool the new Chelsea?

If the reports are to be believed then Ajax's Dutch international forward Ryan Babel is set to join Liverpool after agreeing personal terms and completing a medical.

This is in direct contrast to what appeared to be the case earlier this year when Babel visited 'Cashburden Grove` and was quoted as saying that he would join Arsenal after one more season with Ajax.

The alleged reason for this imminent move to Merseyside in preference to
North London seems not to be a change of heart on Babel's part, but the asking price for the player from his current employers of £13 million.

Arsenal, and Arsene Wenger, are not ones for paying over the odds for players, and despite the ribbing that Wenger often receives on this site, it is pretty much accepted that he is a shrewd manager.

Liverpool, and Rafa Benitez, on the other hand do seem prepared to pay over the odds for players. They suddenly have the cash to splash and splashing it they certainly are this Summer, with Torres on board, and Benayoun and Babel poised to sign, with more signings rumoured.

Man U have also invested heavily, but where is their money coming from?

Are the Glazers playing dangerous games with the club's finances and banking on success?

But that brings us on to Chelsea.

A plethora of quality free transfers and an intelligent purchase in the form of Malouda at a price which meant that Aulas didn't get his own way this time!

Also we currently have a 'take it or leave it' bid on the table for Alves which is 6 or 7 million short of Sevilla's valuation of the player. This is a refreshing change to recent Summer`s where we seem to have been the soft touches of the game.

Paying over the odds for players simply because we wanted them and the selling clubs could smell the cash and jacked the prices up.

So are Liverpool the new Chelsea? Well yes and no. I would suggest that this summer's soft touches are Liverpool, and if the red half of Merseyside do not realise what pressure comes with a host of expensive signings, then they are about to find out.

Can they handle the pressure and new level of expectancy?

If they end the season trophy less will the scapegoats be grazing on the pitch, or bleating from the side of it?

Is there any evidence to suggest that this won't be Liverpool's 18th year without the title?

Come next May we will know the answers to questions such as this, but if I were a betting man I wouldn't need a crystal ball to know where not to place my money!