David Moyes Acknowledges Widening Divide Between Everton and Liverpool

Everton manager David Moyes has expressed that the distance between his team and Premier League leaders Liverpool has never been as pronounced as it is now, as the Toffees gear up to visit Anfield for Wednesday’s highly anticipated Merseyside derby.

Liverpool are on the verge of clinching a record-equalling 20th English top-flight championship, currently holding a commanding 12-point advantage at the summit of the table.

Meanwhile, Everton languish in 15th position, trailing their local rivals by a staggering 36 points, despite maintaining a nine-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League since Moyes’ return to the club in January.

“It feels like we might be further away from Liverpool now than we’ve ever been,” Moyes remarked during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“Back when I left here around a decade ago, we were much nearer to Liverpool, battling for similar positions in the league.”

“At this moment, I believe the discrepancy between the two clubs is at its largest.”

Even when the teams were more closely matched in the league standings, Moyes has had a challenging time at Anfield.

Throughout 21 encounters as manager of Everton, Manchester United, Sunderland, and West Ham, the Scotsman has yet to secure a victory on Liverpool’s home turf, managing to draw on seven occasions.

“I’d be dishonest if I said I look forward to playing there every time, as it has proven a difficult venue to garner results,” Moyes admitted.

“It’s not about the atmosphere, the pitch, or anything else; it simply comes down to the fact that they (Liverpool) consistently produce strong teams.”

“I think every Premier League team knows they are in for a challenge when they head to Anfield.”

Liverpool will be missing Trent Alexander-Arnold due to injury, which could mark his final Merseyside derby ahead of a proposed transfer to Real Madrid.

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk may also be playing their last derby against Everton, with their contracts set to expire at the end of the season.

Salah has netted eight goals in 12 derby matches, and Moyes quipped that he and the majority of Everton supporters would take satisfaction in seeing the Egyptian depart Liverpool.

“We’ll happily be escorting him to the airport, helping him board the plane and sending him off!” he joked.