Liverpool vs Everton 

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David Moyes has enjoyed a transformative effect on Everton since returning to Goodison Park in January. The Toffees were firmly engulfed in a relegation battle but Moyes has guided them to safety. The 61-year-old has yet to admit that safety is secured as he’s refusing to visit their new stadium until it is mathematically guaranteed but Moyes has done a remarkable job. 

Everton have only lost twice in eleven games under Moyes and they’ve picked up more points (16) than Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Tottenham since the Scottish manager’s return. Everton are also on a nine-game unbeaten run in the Premier League but that record is expected to end tonight when they head across Merseyside to face rivals Liverpool. Arne Slot’s men are closing in on a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title but can Moyes end his horrific Anfield hoodoo? 

David Moyes’ Anfield hoodoo

Moyes has never won a game at Anfield across his managerial career in 21 attempts. The experienced boss has managed Everton, West Ham, Sunderland and Manchester United at Liverpool’s home but he’s never emerged victorious and he’s conscious of the hoodoo. “Yeah. I don’t want it,” Moyes admitted pre-match. “I want to win and I want to make sure I get rid of it if I can. Am I sick of it? 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.” 

Moyes also claimed that the gap has never been bigger between the Merseyside rivals but the Toffees secured a dramatic late equaliser in the reverse fixture in February – the last ever derby at Goodison. Tonight’s fixture will be the 20th time Moyes has faced Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League with two further clashes in cup competitions – 1-1 draw in the FA Cup with Everton in 2009 and a 5-1 defeat in the quarter-final of the League Cup in 2023. Moyes has lost 13 times in his 19 league games at Anfield and his record against Liverpool is the second worse of his head-to-head stats when facing the traditional ‘big six’.