Steven Gerrard speaking on The Overlap Daily
Steven Gerrard speaking on The Overlap Daily
Steven Gerrard is more than happy to praise Everton and David Moyes following an impressive start to the campaign.
The Toffees helped shift the narrative prior to the international break with three wins in a row.
After drawing with Hull City before back-to-back losses against Chelsea and Arsenal, Everton earned a 3-1 win over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.
That set up a quarter-final tie with Fleetwood Town, which Everton will be massive favourites to win.
Moyes' side then beat Newcastle 1-0 in the Premier League and Coventry City 3-1 last time out to move up to sixth and level on points with Chelsea in fifth.
It could be the most magical season yet across Moyes' two spells on Merseyside, and Gerrard is not surprised.
Steven Gerrard shares what David Moyes 'can't say'
Everton fans are desperate to see their side qualify for Europe, but a cup win would trump that.
Managing both really would make this a season for the ages, but the margins are incredibly fine and it is possible - many would say likely - neither will happen.
In the view of Liverpool legend Gerrard, bringing Moyes back just under two years ago was a masterstroke.
Speaking on Monday's The Overlap Daily, Gerrard said he is more than happy to praise Everton when they are doing well, despite his Liverpool connections.
Gerrard added: "When Moyes went back I said to one of my mates, who's a strong Everton fan, 'that's the best thing Everton have done in the last 10 years.
"He's a top manager who can get his teams organised, well-drilled, difficult to play against.
"Moyes deserves a lot of praise. He probably can't say this, but I don't think he got enough backing in the summer. He lost Iliman Ndiaye, who was arguably their best player.
"But they jumped up to fourth for a bit on Friday. To have Everton where they are now, and also in the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
"I've got Everton friends and they're saying we'd love a top-eight finish, but we've got to go and win a trophy. It reminds me of Newcastle pre-League Cup win over Liverpool.
"They've got Fleetwood, and Everton should be in the semi-finals. If Moyes can win that and have Everton in the top eight, that is pound-for-pound the best achievement of the season."
Gerrard is not wrong, but Moyes will be the first to tell you it is a case of taking it one game at a time.
The massive month that awaits Everton
Everton now have a two-week gap between matches, but the games come thick and fast after that.
Even before the hectic festive and New Year fixtures, Everton have seven matches in less than a month upon their return.
That starts with a trip to Brentford, who look like being rivals for a European spot, before a massive Merseyside derby showdown with Liverpool.
There are also trips to Aston Villa, Brighton and Nottingham Forest, as well as a visit from Fulham. And not to mention the cup quarter-final away at Fleetwood.
Everton will not win all of those games, of course, but the hope at the very minimum is that the Toffees are still in the cup and in European contention come the final week or the year.
If that happens, anything is possible.