Facing the Challenge
David Moyes, the returning manager of Everton, knows the two Merseyside clubs are in very different places. He admits that Everton has to work hard to catch up with Liverpool as they get ready for the last derby at Goodison Park. Moyes Determined to Close Liverpool Gap.
This game will be the 122nd and final match between these rivals at Goodison. Right now, there’s a big gap between the teams. Liverpool is sitting at the top of the Premier League, aiming for a nine-point lead. They are 30 points clear of Everton, who are nine points above the relegation zone.
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Money Matters and Squad Strength
Over the last ten years, Everton has spent around £300 million (AU$593 million). This money mostly came from the early days of former owner Farhad Moshiri. But lately, money problems have forced the club to cut back. They haven’t been able to meet some financial rules.
On the other hand, Liverpool has spent more than £580 million (AU$1.14 billion) in the same time. This has paid off with titles in the Premier League, Champions League, and other cups. Because of this spending, Liverpool has a much stronger squad. While Liverpool’s coach rested nine top players for a match, Moyes had to put two goalkeepers and three young players on Everton’s bench for their cup loss to Bournemouth.
Moyes’ Commitment to Close the Gap
Even with these challenges, Moyes is determined to close the gap between the clubs. He recalls finishing above Liverpool three times before, even when Everton has usually been behind them.
“We’ve always been chasing Liverpool, probably no more so than now,” Moyes said. “Right now, the gap between us is probably the biggest it’s been in a long time. Real Madrid Silence Manchester City Critics.
“I have to bridge that gap and bring the clubs closer together. I need to bring my club closer to theirs, if I can.
“There’s a big difference in transfers, and everyone knows about the struggles we face here.”
Moyes also mentioned that the Premier League can be unpredictable. He pointed to Everton’s surprising 2-0 win over Liverpool last April. He hopes his team can pull off another upset.
Last Derby at Goodison Park
This match was supposed to happen in December but got postponed due to a storm. It’s Moyes’ chance to manage Everton’s last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park after he replaced Sean Dyche last month.
While Moyes has had some good moments in these derbies, his overall record isn’t great. He has only four wins and 13 losses from 25 matches. Looking back, he noted how physical these games used to be.
“When it was Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, it was all about who would kick who first,” Moyes said. “Games aren’t like that anymore. The refereeing is different now.
“We were just getting competitive in the Premier League back then. The derbies were more evenly matched. Liverpool were tough, but there were years when we finished above them.
“It took a long time to build a team that could compete with Liverpool. Right now, we still have a way to go to reach that level again.”
Team News and Injury Update
As for the upcoming match, Moyes hopes that left-back Vitalii Mykolenko can recover from a calf injury in time to play in this important game. Moyes Determined to Close Liverpool Gap.
