You know how it feels now Rafa! Everton boss "The Chosen One" dig at Benitez over cash ahead of Liverpool derby
The Daily Mail"The Chosen One" took exception to hearing Everton derided as 'a small club' three years ago and was in no mood to pass up the chance of a retaliatory strike against Rafa Benitez ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Benitez may have felt he was speaking from a position of strength, financially at least, when his frustration led him to belittle Everton's status after they defied Liverpool in a goalless draw in February 2007.
The put-down still rankles Evertonians and could come back to haunt the Liverpool manager after a decline in fiscal fortunes that has not gone unnoticed at Goodison Park.
Reflecting on the way Liverpool have had to tighten their belts since the arrival of co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Moyes could not resist a wry smile.
Relishing the prospect of further denting Liverpool's Champions League hopes, he accused them of living beyond their means throughout Benitez's reign and claimed his side were now close to parity.
'I still think we go into the game as underdogs but things do seem to be changing,' said the Everton manager, who has handed striker Louis Saha a new two-year contract on £55,000 a week.
'We have found it difficult to match them because they have had a decade of overspending.
'There are signs, though, that they are going to find themselves faced with the sort of situation we have had to cope with. For eight or nine years we have had to deal at a different level yet still be judged on equal terms on the pitch.
'When you look at the recent changes they have had to contend with, maybe things are closer now. Apart from finances, we have a lot of players beginning to hit top form and we are going there with confidence.
'We have played really well against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, so while we have respect for Liverpool, I really do feel we can give them a good game.'
Everton are unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League since an unlucky 2-0 loss to Liverpool at the end of November, and the thought of the run continuing is keeping Jamie Carragher awake at night.
Nothing sets the Liverpool centre back's nerves on edge as much as facing the side he supported as a boy.
'This is the one game where you would take any kind of performance as long as you won,' he said.
'I struggle to sleep before most big games, but the derby is the one that affects me the worst. It's going to have to be a sleeping pill, I think.
'There is always that little bit of anxiety that comes from the fear of losing, and it doesn't get any easier as you get older.
'Whenever Everton beat us in the Nineties, the accusation was always that they wanted it more, so I'm glad we have turned that round a bit with our record over the past decade.
'For me, the derby is always the biggest game of the season. You have to guard against letting the occasion get to you too much.'
Carragher's pre-match jitters may not have been helped by a blunt admission from Benitez that Liverpool cannot afford to lose if they are to stay in the race for fourth place.
Benitez played down suggestions of an uneasy relationship with Moyes. 'I always go to see him after a game, if I can, and he was in my room after the game three years ago,' he said.
'Our relationship is normal. I don't have any problem with him. 'Everton have been close to the top four in recent years and are improving this season. Every game is really important for us now, and this derby is going to be extra special, because we are in that position where we have to win.'
