David Moyes shoots down Arne Slot's Liverpool complaint

David Moyes shoots down Arne Slot's Liverpool complaint - 'Ask any Premier League manager'

Liverpool and Everton go head-to-head in the first ever Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday as the Reds bid for a top-five finish to keep their place in European football

Everton manager David Moyes has told Liverpool boss Arne Slot to cease his complaining about referees ahead of the first ever Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

The two teams are divided by merely five points heading into the encounter as Liverpool attempt to secure a top-five finish to retain their spot at Europe's elite level.

However, the Blues harbour ambitions of a return to continental competition themselves and could climb as high as sixth with victory depending on other results throughout the weekend.

Moyes praised his counterpart amid mounting criticism following a lacklustre title defence and elimination from the FA Cup and Champions League in the past fortnight.

FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page

Liverpool saw a penalty that was initially given overturned by VAR in their Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, prompting Slot to lament the decisions that he thinks have gone against them this season. Yet Moyes isn't accepting Slot's complaints about referees.

"He has done a brilliant job," said the Scot. "And I have got to say he is a really good coach – that is from a neutral point of view.

"But I'm not sure I'm having him saying they are getting bad decisions at Anfield because if you ask any Premier League manager over football history, they will tell you that if there is one club that gets all the decisions, it is Liverpool Football Club.

"So if they are finding a few bad things at the moment, well, we have had to put up with them for years, every time we go there. But as a coach, I think he's a top coach.

"I actually think Liverpool supporters would agree with that if they were honest as well! There are very few decisions that go against Liverpool at Anfield. Very few."

Moyes has received considerable praise for the work he has accomplished since his return to Everton, but remains grounded about such recognition.

"I'm getting a bit older. I have had all that," he added. "I've been there and done it. You know, I could start next season with six defeats and you will be saying I'm rubbish!

"There is very little balance and realism in the job in some ways. Arne Slot won the Premier League last year. He's probably got to make a few changes and take a bit of time if the players don't settle in straight away. It's a bit like us.

"What does the next level look like for Everton next year? If you are saying 'you should be in the top four or five!' then I would be saying 'hold on, wait a minute! You're wrong.' It's very difficult.

"Some managers are doing amazing jobs. But there is no way we have a Premier League without someone losing. It's going to be someone in focus every year."

Click here to read article