Moyes accepts Toffees are “years behind” Reds

David Moyes accepts it’ll take years to bridge the hole between Everton and Liverpool however his ambition is for the Blues to ultimately end above their Stanley Park neighbours within the Premier League.

The Toffees host Liverpool of their rearranged conflict tomorrow evening for what would be the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Moyes has made a optimistic impression after returning to the membership, with Everton profitable their final three league video games to open up a nine-point hole between themselves and the relegation zone.

Tomorrow. Derby day. 🔵
#EVELIV pic.twitter.com/QbDF9IPHvK

— Everton (@Everton) February 11, 2025

Everton are ‘chasing Liverpool’

Liverpool can lengthen their lead on the high of the desk to 9 factors with a win and Moyes accepts there’s a gulf between the groups for the time being.

“I believe it’s an ideal footballing metropolis, it’s all the time had extremely good gamers, from totally different generations,” he stated. “I can’t child myself, I’ve had my fair proportion of defeats. We’re chasing Liverpool, and possibly none extra so than now. It was all the time nice to get a outcome.

“However I all the time return to my final two years the place we completed above Liverpool within the league twice. It took us an excellent few years to organize that and get us prepared. As you recognize, we’ve received a couple of years to go earlier than we’re able to compete with Liverpool once more.”

Moyes has lofty ambitions

Everton completed forward of their neighbours in each the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons earlier than Moyes departed for his ill-fated spell at Manchester United.

And he claims it’s one thing they will do once more.

“The hole between the 2 groups for the time being has in all probability been as large because it has been for a very long time,” he added. “So it’s one thing I’ve to bridge, and begin bringing the 2 golf equipment nearer collectively.

“At the moment, derbies have been in all probability a bit extra aggressive. It was solely in the previous few years the place we began to complete above them within the Premier League, it’s one thing we’re aiming to do once more.”

Moyes’ report in opposition to Liverpool is woeful

For all his bravado, Moyes has an appalling report in opposition to Liverpool, profitable simply six of his 42 video games in cost in opposition to the Reds throughout spells at Everton, Manchester United, Sunderland and West Ham.

“It’s all the time been robust,” he stated. “Through the years Liverpool have all the time been robust opponents.

“In fact we need to win. However let’s put it in perspective. A very powerful factor is we get factors to remain within the Premier League. It’s an enormous recreation. Let’s hope the gamers are prepared.”

Everton may have left-back Vitalii Mykolenko again with the Ukraine worldwide having returned to coaching.

And new signing Carlos Alcaraz may make his first begin after impressing off the bench within the FA Cup defeat to Bournemouth on the weekend.