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Anfield: A Challenging Ground for Moyes and Everton

For David Moyes, the prospect of managing at Anfield has become particularly daunting. Over the course of 21 matches played at this iconic venue, he has yet to secure a victory, suffering 14 defeats and conceding a substantial 36 goals. As Everton prepares to face league leaders Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday, the outlook remains grim.

Moyes, now 61 years old, acknowledged the substantial gap between Everton and Liverpool, stating, “We might be further away from Liverpool than we have ever been at the moment.” He added, “When we left here, we were much closer to Liverpool, we were competitive, competing around the same areas in the league. At the moment, it is probably the biggest gulf between the two clubs.”

Historical data reinforces Moyes’ assertion. This current points difference prior to a Merseyside derby is the largest he has encountered during his tenure at Everton. Furthermore, his streak of 19 Premier League matches without a win at Anfield sets a record for the longest such run by any manager at the ground.

Notably, his initial stint at Everton saw him rack up a dozen Anfield encounters, resulting in seven draws and an equal number of losses. His managerial record extends beyond Everton; while leading Manchester United and Sunderland, he also experienced defeats at this challenging venue.

During his tenure with West Ham, Moyes faced Liverpool on seven occasions, enduring defeats each time. His most recent outing witnessed Liverpool dominate with a decisive 5-1 victory during the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup in December 2023.

Reflecting on his Anfield record, Moyes remarked, “I don’t want it [the record]. I want to win. I want to make sure I get rid of it.” He expressed optimism about future opportunities, noting, “Every time we go there, it presents another chance to do so.”

While candidly acknowledging the challenges, he mentioned, “I would be lying if I said I look forward to going there all the time because it is such a hard place to get results. It is nothing to do with the surroundings or the pitch; they have always produced good teams.”

As the Toffees gear up for their visit, both Moyes and Everton will aim to break the cycle and capture a long-elusive victory at Anfield.

Source
www.bbc.com