Key Takeaways
- David Moyes laughs off Arne Slot’s complaint that officials now hurt Liverpool at Anfield.
- Everton sit five points behind their neighbours with six matches left and a European place still possible.
- Moyes says Europa or Conference football would change how players view Everton in the next transfer window.
Everton boss David Moyes has poked fun at Liverpool manager Arne Slot just days before the Merseyside derby, rejecting the claim that referees are suddenly unfair to the Reds on their own patch.
Speaking at Finch Farm on Friday, Moyes offered sympathy for Slot’s first-season slump, then grinned and added: “I’m not buying the idea that Liverpool get poor decisions at Anfield. Ask any coach in Premier League history — they’ll tell you Liverpool usually get the calls. If a few now go the other way, welcome to what the rest of us have faced for years.”
The remark drew laughs from local reporters and will add spice to Sunday’s clash at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the first derby played at Everton’s new home. Supporters’ group The 1878s plan a giant tifo called “The Originals”, showing the club’s three former grounds and the Liver Bird recoloured in blue. A leaked image already sparked heated online banter between the two sets of fans.
Twelve months ago the gap between the clubs stretched to 36 points and £500 million in turnover. Now only five points divide them and Everton still dream of sneaking into Europe. “Qualifying would show the world this club is back on its feet,” Moyes said. “We’ve spent too long fighting relegation and point deductions. Europe brings money, prestige and better transfer targets.”
The Scot admitted he was shocked last summer when several targets refused to join a side without continental football. “Players looked at us and said, ‘No Europa, no thanks.’ That hurt, but I understood. If we make it this year, the phone calls will be very different.”
Moyes has never won at Anfield in 18 attempts as a manager, yet he sees Liverpool’s standards as the bar for Everton. “They buy top talent and spend big — that’s the reality. Our job is to keep narrowing the distance. Sunday is a chance to measure ourselves and, who knows, maybe take a giant step toward Europe in front of our own fans.”