Moyes accepts Toffees are “years behind” Reds

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David Moyes accepts it will take years to bridge the gap between Everton and Liverpool but his ambition is for the Blues to eventually finish above their Stanley Park neighbours in the Premier League.

The Toffees host Liverpool in their rearranged clash tomorrow night for what will be the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Moyes has made a positive impression after returning to the club, with Everton winning their last three league games to open up a nine-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

Everton are ‘chasing Liverpool’

Liverpool can extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points with a win and Moyes accepts there is a gulf between the teams at the moment.

“I think it’s a great footballing city, it’s always had incredibly good players, from different generations,” he said. “I can’t kid myself, I’ve had my fair share of defeats. We’re chasing Liverpool, and probably none more so than now. It was always great to get a result.

“But I always go back to my last two years where we finished above Liverpool in the league twice. It took us a good few years to prepare that and get us ready. As you know, we’ve got a few years to go before we’re ready to compete with Liverpool again.”

Moyes has lofty ambitions

Everton finished ahead of their neighbours in both the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons before Moyes departed for his ill-fated spell at Manchester United.

And he claims it is something they can do again.

“The gap between the two teams at the moment has probably been as big as it has been for a long time,” he added. “So it’s something I have to bridge, and start bringing the two clubs closer together.

“At that time, derbies were probably a bit more competitive. It was only in the last few years where we started to finish above them in the Premier League, it’s something we’re aiming to do again.”

Moyes’ record against Liverpool is woeful

For all his bravado, Moyes has an appalling record against Liverpool, winning just six of his 42 games in charge against the Reds across spells at Everton, Manchester United, Sunderland and West Ham.

“It’s always been tough,” he said. “Over the years Liverpool have always been tough opponents.

“Of course we want to win. But let’s put it in perspective. The most important thing is we get points to stay in the Premier League. It’s a big game. Let’s hope the players are ready.”

Everton could have left-back Vitalii Mykolenko back with the Ukraine international having returned to training.

And new signing Carlos Alcaraz could make his first start after impressing off the bench in the FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend.




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