David Moyes admits he expected Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title this season.

Instead of challenging for Manchester United's crown the Reds are competing for the fourth place position alongside Moyes' Everton, and the Toffees boss has taken this opportunity to take a swipe at his city rivals.

"I thought Liverpool would finish first or second this season with the additions they made; I felt they would come very close to winning the championship," said Moyes. "I think that it cannot be seen as success if Liverpool finish fourth.

"If Everton finish fourth then that is success. But it cannot be seen as success for them. Not for a side who set out to win the title or certainly come second. They have spent accordingly to win the title.

"So for them not to qualify for the Champions League is a serious problem, while it would not be for us. We don't budget for that - maybe in the future we might - but not at present.

"We can't really be expected to finish above Liverpool. So if you'd said to me that with 10 games to go we would be level on points with them and they would only be ahead on goal difference I would have certainly taken that situation.