David Moyes took charge of 12 games at Anfield in his first spell as Everton boss, winning none, drawing seven and losing five

Can David Moyes Finally Break His Anfield Curse?

The Gulf Has Never Been Bigger Moyes

For David Moyes, a trip to Anfield has long been a nightmare. The West Ham United boss has endured 21 winless matches at Liverpool’s historic ground, suffering 14 defeats and conceding 36 goals in the process.

His record there is the worst of any Premier League manager, with 19 league games without a win, making Anfield his ultimate footballing graveyard. And when his Everton side faces runaway league leaders Liverpool this Wednesday, the odds are stacked against him once again.

Moyes himself is under no illusions.

“We might be further away from Liverpool than we have ever been,” he admitted.

With Everton sitting 36 points behind their Merseyside rivals, the gap between the two clubs has never been greater under Moyes’ management. In terms of quality, finances, and form, Liverpool are in another stratosphere.

Moyes vs. Liverpool: The Numbers Don’t Lie

A quick glance at the history books confirms just how big this gap has become. The previous largest points gap before a Merseyside Derby under Moyes was 18 points in March 2006—half of the current deficit.

Even more damningly, in Moyes’ first spell at Everton, his side was ahead of Liverpool before eight of their 19 league derbies. Now, such a scenario feels unthinkable.

The only two times the gap has been bigger in Premier League history?

April 2022: Liverpool led Everton by 47 points.
June 2020: The Reds were 45 points ahead.

Both seasons ended with Liverpool firmly in control and Everton fighting for survival. This time, though, Moyes’ side is safe, but they are miles away from competing at the top.

Financially, the gap is just as stark. Liverpool’s squad is valued at around £550 million, compared to Everton’s £200 million. While Jurgen Klopp has built a world-class team filled with elite-level talent, Moyes is once again trying to rebuild Everton into a competitive force.

A Curse Moyes Can’t Shake?

Brendan Rodgers and David Moyes

19 League Games Without a Win at Anfield

Moyes’ dismal record at Anfield is the longest winless streak any manager has endured in the Premier League at a single stadium. His struggles span across multiple clubs:

Everton (2002-2013): 12 games, 7 draws, 5 defeats
Manchester United (2013-14): 1 defeat
Sunderland (2016-17): 1 defeat
West Ham (2017-2018, 2019-present): 7 defeats

Even worse, his most recent visit ended in a humiliating 5-1 defeat in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals last December.

“I don’t want that record. I want to win. Every time we go there, it’s another chance to get rid of it.”

But with Liverpool in title-winning form, is this realistically the time Moyes finally breaks the curse?

Everton’s Revival Under Moyes – A Glimmer of Hope?

David Moyes celebrates

When Moyes returned to Everton in January, the club was in a relegation battle, sitting 16th in the table with only three wins in 19 games.

Since his return:
✅ 17 points in the league (5th best in the division)
✅ Wins against Tottenham, Brighton, Leicester & Crystal Palace
✅ Only one league defeat (vs. Bournemouth in FA Cup)
✅ 17 points clear of the relegation zone

Everton’s revival under Moyes has been impressive, with the club now almost certain to remain in the Premier League when they move into their new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock in 2025.

The highlight? A dramatic 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Goodison Park, where James Tarkowski’s late equalizer secured a memorable point.

Can Everton produce another surprise?

Stopping Salah: Easier Said Than Done

Can Everton Contain the Premier League’s Form Player?

Moyes knows that to get a result, his team must shut down Mohamed Salah—a player he describes as “one of the best of his generation.”

“We could try and build a wall or something to stop him, but he is such a talented player.”

Everton did a solid job containing Salah in the reverse fixture, but the Egyptian forward is having another remarkable season, spearheading Liverpool’s title charge.

If Everton are to get anything, they need to be disciplined, aggressive, and clinical—something they have struggled with at Anfield in the past.

Near Misses, Controversies & Red Cards – The Story of Moyes at Anfield

Moyes has come close to breaking his Anfield hoodoo several times.

December 2002: A young Wayne Rooney hit the crossbar in a 0-0 draw.
March 2006: Steven Gerrard was sent off after 18 minutes, but Liverpool still won 3-1.
January 2011: Everton led 2-1 but couldn’t hold on, drawing 2-2.
May 2013: Sylvain Distin’s goal was controversially disallowed in a 0-0 draw.

His closest attempt came in that 2013 draw, just four months before he left Everton to take over at Manchester United.

Other Managers’ Cursed Grounds – Moyes Isn’t Alone

Moyes isn’t the only Premier League manager to struggle at a particular stadium.

Harry Redknapp at Old Trafford: 0 wins in 15 matches.
Mark Hughes, Sam Allardyce & Tony Pulis at the Emirates: 0 wins in 10 matches.
Steve Bruce at Old Trafford: 1 draw, 12 defeats in 13 games.

But unlike these managers, Moyes keeps coming back to Anfield, hoping to end the nightmare.

Can Moyes Finally Win at Anfield?

Everything suggests this isn’t the year Moyes finally wins at Liverpool. The Reds are in unstoppable form, while Everton haven’t beaten them at Anfield since 2021—their only win there in 25 years.

But football is unpredictable.

Everton weren’t expected to draw 2-2 last time out. Moyes wasn’t expected to turn things around this quickly at Goodison Park.

So perhaps, against all odds, he can pull off a shock result and rewrite history.

But if the past is anything to go by, Anfield will once again prove a step too far for David Moyes.