The Merseyside derby is always a fiery occasion, and the mind games have already begun. Ahead of Sunday's clash, Everton manager David Moyes has offered a backhanded compliment to his Liverpool counterpart, Arne Slot.

Moyes publicly praised Slot as a "top coach" and a "really good coach," acknowledging his work from a "neutral point of view." However, the Everton boss couldn't resist a sharp dig at Liverpool's historical fortune with refereeing decisions.

The comment that sparked Moyes's ire came from Slot's pre-match press conference, where the Dutchman referenced a controversial 2-2 draw at Goodison Park last season. In that match, a late James Tarkowski equalizer and Slot's subsequent sending-off for confronting the referee left a bitter taste.

Moyes was quick to push back on any suggestion of Liverpool being hard done by. "I’m not sure I’m having him saying they are getting bad decisions at Anfield," Moyes stated. "If you ask any Premier League manager over football history, they will tell you that if there is one club that gets all the decisions, it is Liverpool."

He doubled down, suggesting Everton have borne the brunt of such calls for years. "If they are finding a few bad things at the moment, well, we’ve had to put up with them for years, every time we go there," he added, before reiterating his personal respect for Slot's coaching ability.

This exchange sets the stage perfectly for another intense chapter in one of football's greatest rivalries. While Moyes defends the man in the opposing dugout, his comments about perceived injustices are classic derby fuel, ensuring tensions will be high from the first whistle at Anfield.