Everton’s season has taken a major turn. Back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Burnley have lifted the Blues to eighth in the Premier League table, just one point behind seventh-placed Brentford and two off sixth-placed Chelsea. With nine games remaining, European qualification is no longer a distant dream but a genuine target.
The run-in is undeniably tough. Trips to Arsenal and Brentford await, while Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all visit Hill Dickinson Stadium. But if David Moyes can maintain his side’s remarkable away form and finally solve their home struggles, the prize is there for the taking.
Gerrard: Moyes has been brilliant for Everton
It takes an unlikely source to make Evertonians sit up and take notice, but when a Liverpool legend publicly backs the Blues for European football, it carries weight. Steven Gerrard, speaking on TNT Sports after providing punditry for Wolves’ shock 2-1 win over Liverpool, was asked about Everton’s prospects.
“Yeah, really good [season],” the former Liverpool captain said. “David Moyes has been brilliant for Everton. They’ve done really well, I’m sure they’re going to sneak into the back door for those European places.”
ALSO READ: ‘Badly advised’, Everton may give lifeline to Chelsea reject with transfer move
Gerrard’s assessment carried an edge that Everton fans will appreciate. His reference to “sneaking in the back door” and the wry smile that accompanied it suggested a man who knows the stakes involved when your closest rivals start chasing the same prizes.
“We know he likes the Conference League. He’s done it before, so I think they are going to put the pressure on the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Brentford.”
A telling admission from a Liverpool icon
The timing of Gerrard’s comments is notable. Liverpool had just lost 2-1 at bottom-of-the-table Wolves on the same night Everton beat Burnley. Chelsea’s 4-1 win at Aston Villa on Wednesday moved them above the champions into fifth, meaning the Blues are now five points behind both Chelsea and Liverpool.
His mention of Moyes and the Conference League references the Everton manager’s achievement at West Ham, where he led the Hammers to European glory. Moyes knows how to navigate these competitions, and that experience could prove valuable if Everton gets there.
Everton face Arsenal at the Emirates on March 14, followed by Chelsea at home, then Brentford away and Liverpool at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Those four games will likely decide whether Gerrard’s prediction comes true. For a Liverpool legend to publicly back Everton, the Blues must be doing something right.
- ‘I’m sure they’re going to sneak in’ – Liverpool legend backs Everton for European qualification
- ‘Badly advised’, Everton may give lifeline to Chelsea reject with transfer move
- ‘He’s similar to Doku’ – Former Everton star full of praise for winger
- Dwight McNeil puts in another impressive performance as his redemption arc continues
- ‘Getting in to the England squad is a dream’ – Everton star hoping for England call up after impressive performance
