Everton can compete with Liverpool says Moyes

Everton manager David Moyes believes his side have closed the quality gap with neighbours Liverpool despite being at a financial disadvantage.

The Reds, who have just been taken over in a £300million deal by New England Sports Ventures, have consistently spent more than their rivals from across Stanley Park.

That has usually seen the Anfield side finish higher in the league but yesterday's derby victory lifted the Toffees into mid-table, with their opponents dropping to an unfamiliar 19th.

Moyes admits, despite their recent troubles, Liverpool are in a false position but believes his club are edging closer to matching their rivals in terms of on-pitch quality.

"The derby win is only three points but the big thing for us is that we've not been able to beat Liverpool very often in our time here," he said.

"I would hope a level-headed football supporter with any common sense would recognise the reasons for that.

"But it isn't all about money. If we all wanted football to be about money then we wouldn't enjoy it as much because not everyone is going to be able to have it.

"Am I jealous about it? Yes, because I'd like to be a top team but I wouldn't swap my chairman for anyone from America or Saudi Arabia.

"My chairman is a supporter. He backs his manager and he is behind me - which is really important for any manager at any club.

"I don't make excuses but I definitely think our squad has got closer to Liverpool's squad. We have got our good players and can compete with Liverpool."

Moyes pointed to the example of 22-year-old Seamus Coleman, a defender who was pressed into action on the right of midfield and set up the opening goal for Tim Cahill.

"We are playing a right-back wide right because we haven't got anyone else in that position," he added.

"He's come in and done a brilliant job and it will be great for the boy's development.

"There is a lot talked about at the moment about what people spend and we paid 60 grand for that boy from Ireland."

Moyes offered some support to Reds counterpart Roy Hodgson, with whom he has a good friendship which stretches back to when the Scot spent some time observing the 63-year-old's coaching at Udinese in 2001.

"I think Liverpool are in a false position. They have two or three top players and have international players in every position and they have got a really good manager," he said.

"I think as a manager coming into a new club it takes a little bit of time but there are big expectations at Liverpool because over the years they have spent a lot of cash.

"At Everton we have not and people understand it is going to be more difficult for Everton (to achieve success) than Liverpool.

"I've been here long enough to warrant a couple of dodgy spells and you have to look a bit further to see what Roy has achieved."