Moyes looking to 'bridge the gap' to Liverpool ahead of Merseyside derby

David Moyes says he is focused on shortening "the gulf" between Everton and Liverpool, ahead of the season's first Merseyside derby.

The Merseyside rivals go head-to-head at Anfield on Saturday, with table-toppers Liverpool looking to make it five wins from five at the start of the campaign.

The reigning champions spent over £400m during the recent transfer window, including a British-record fee of £125m to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

In fact, the Reds spent more on Isak's acquisition than Everton did during the entire window, and Moyes hopes he can "bridge that gap" to the Toffees' bitter rivals.

"I think it's about having a realism on where the two clubs are. I need to try and shorten the gulf between them," he told reporters during his pre-match press conference.

"At the moment, Liverpool are champions and probably favourites for the Champions League. And we are Everton, who have just come out of three or four difficult seasons, so trying to bridge that gap is quite difficult to do.

"You have to earn the right [to spend]. You have to win and be in the big competitions to make the money. I found at West Ham, three years in Europe allowed us to spend money, so from that point of view, I think Liverpool are entitled to [spend].

"I heard Arne [Slot] defending himself about that he has brought in a lot, and he certainly has done."

Liverpool may be perfect this season, but they required a stoppage-time penalty from Mohamed Salah to beat newly promoted Burnley last time out. 

Seven of their nine Premier League goals have been scored in the second half of games, with five of those seven coming in the final 10 minutes.

Since the start of last season, the Reds have registered more goals in the final 10 minutes of games than any other side (19).

They followed that trend in their Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, with Virgil van Dijk netting a dramatic winner in the 92nd minute.

"The better sides tend to sort of wear you down a little bit and concentration changes," added Moyes, who has never won a Premier League game at Anfield. "In the main, we've shown resilience in defence, so we'll be looking to maintain that.

"We have to go there and fight for everything we can and be competitive, and make sure that we play where we've showed signs of improving and make sure we show that in the game.

"It's a lot easier if you are with the team that has the strongest squad, and I think we are up against it."