Everton manager David Moyes has said the gulf between his side and Liverpool is bigger than ever ahead of Wednesday night's Merseyside derby.
Everton are 15th in the Premier League table, 36 points behind leaders Liverpool. However, they have impressed since Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in January, losing just one of their last 10 league games.
Still, with Liverpool looking set to secure a 20th league title this term, Moyes -- who previously managed Everton from 2002 until 2013 -- believes there is plenty of work for the club to do in order to close the gap on their city rivals.
"We might be further away from Liverpool than we've ever been at the moment," he said in a news conference on Tuesday.
"I think by the time we [Moyes and his staff] left here 12 years ago, I think we were much closer to Liverpool. We were competing in the same areas of the league at the time. I think at the moment it's probably the biggest gulf between the two clubs."
Moyes also praised Liverpool head coach Arne Slot for the job he has done since replacing Jürgen Klopp in the dugout last summer.
"When Jürgen left, I think we were probably all a bit surprised by how well Arne Slot's done," he said. "Quite often moving away from the dynasty of a manager can be difficult but I think he's settled in really well. They've not dropped off from where they were."
If Everton are to earn their first Anfield victory since 2021 on Wednesday, they will have to keep Liverpool's top-scorer Mohamed Salah quiet. The Egypt international has managed 27 goals in the Premier League this season, and Moyes was effusive about his impact on Merseyside.
"He's having an unbelievable season for Liverpool," the Everton boss said.
"Let's be fair, we're talking about one of the top Premier League players of this generation. It's not just this season; he's been so consistent over most seasons.
"He's scored plenty of goals, plenty of assists, he's very rarely injured. He's been a great player for Liverpool."
Asked about the possibility of Salah leaving Liverpool when his contract expires this summer, Moyes joked: "We'll enjoy taking him to the airport and getting him on the plane and getting him out."