Everton legend Graeme Sharp feels they're now top dogs in Liverpool.

Everton have scored more goals in the first eight games than in any campaign since 1986-1987, when they last won the title, while until the win over Reading it had been Liverpool's worst opening since 1911. But the gap between the two sides remains only six points.

Sharp told the Daily Express: "If you go back to the Eighties when Liverpool were really successful and in their pomp, I think there was a bit of an inferiority complex then.

"But Liverpool are not, with all due respect, the team of that era and I honestly believe Everton's players look over and think they are on a par. Everton have evolved as a team and got good players

"So I don't think it is a mental thing. If you look at that semi-final last season then mistakes change games.

"Sylvain Distin's back-pass was picked up by Luis Suarez and the momentum takes a massive swing.

"Go back to 1986 and Gary Stevens' mistake at Wembley that allowed Liverpool to get back into the game, it was the same then."