Everton Boss Moyes Faces Uphill Task at Anfield

Everton manager David Moyes acknowledges the significant gap between his team and Liverpool, ahead of the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Everton manager David Moyes has conceded that the disparity between his team and Liverpool has reached an all-time high. As the Toffees prepare to face their arch-rivals at Anfield in Wednesday's Merseyside derby, Moyes acknowledges the significant gap in quality and performance.

Liverpool is dominating the Premier League, boasting a commanding 12-point lead at the top of the table as they pursue a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. The Reds' impressive form has left Everton and other contenders trailing in their wake, highlighting the substantial challenge facing Moyes' side in the upcoming derby.

Everton currently sits in 15th place in the Premier League, a staggering 36 points behind their local rivals Liverpool. Despite this significant gap, the Toffees have been on a nine-game unbeaten run in the league since David Moyes returned to the club in January.

Moyes acknowledged the substantial disparity between the two teams, stating, “We might be further away from Liverpool than we have ever been at the moment.” He reflected on his previous tenure at Everton, saying, ”By the time I had left here maybe 10 years ago we were much closer to Liverpool, we were competitive, competing around the same areas of the league at the time.” Moyes emphasized the current gap, adding, “I think at the moment it is the biggest gulf between the two clubs.”

Moyes' personal record at Anfield is also a concern, with the Scottish manager failing to secure a win in 21 attempts as the boss of Everton, Manchester United, Sunderland, and West Ham. His record includes seven draws, but no victories, making the upcoming Merseyside derby an even more daunting task.

▶️ Fitness updates from the boss ahead of Wednesday's Merseyside derby. pic.twitter.com/qZpX9UzNkT

— Everton (@Everton) April 1, 2025

David Moyes has expressed his candid thoughts about visiting Anfield, stating, “I would be lying if I said I look forward to going to it all the time because it has been such a hard place to get results.” He acknowledged that the challenges at Anfield are solely due to the quality of the Liverpool team, saying, “It's nothing to do with the surrounds, nothing to do with the pitch, nothing to do with anything else, it is to do with them (Liverpool) always producing good teams.”

Embracing the challenge, not fearing it. 👊 pic.twitter.com/vKbGuHcdf0

— Everton (@Everton) April 1, 2025

Moyes also recognized the difficulty that most Premier League teams face when playing at Anfield, commenting, “I think every team in the Premier League, when they go to Anfield, has a game on their hands.” Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold due to injury, and this match may be the last Merseyside derby before his anticipated transfer to Real Madrid.

The match could also be the final Merseyside derby for Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, as their contracts expire at the end of the season. Salah has an impressive record in derby matches, scoring eight times in 12 appearances. Moyes jokingly expressed his desire to see Salah leave Liverpool, saying, “We will enjoy taking him to the airport and getting him on the plane and getting him out!”