David Moyes Fires Warning to Arne Slot: "Stop Complaining" Ahead of Historic Waterfront Derby

Everton boss David Moyes hits back at Arne Slot's referee complaints as the two clubs prepare for the first derby at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 9:24 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

A War of Words Before a Landmark Encounter

The atmosphere in Liverpool has reached a boiling point ahead of Sunday’s clash, the 248th meeting between the city’s historic rivals. Speaking from Everton’s Finch Farm training base on Saturday, April 18, 2026, David Moyes delivered a blunt message to Arne Slot. The Scottish tactician, now in his second stint with the Toffees, reacted to Slot’s recent claims that poor officiating had derailed Liverpool’s momentum. Moyes praised Slot as a "top coach" but rejected his narrative, stating that "any manager in Premier League history" would identify Liverpool as a team that traditionally enjoys favorable decisions, particularly at Anfield.

The Debut of Hill Dickinson Stadium

This fixture marks a monumental shift in English football geography, as the Merseyside derby moves from the century-old Goodison Park to the state-of-the-art Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. The £800 million waterfront arena, which opened for the 2025–26 season, provides a "Football First" atmosphere with a capacity of 52,888. Moyes noted that while the venue is new, the grievances are old, suggesting that Everton has spent decades suffering from the very inconsistencies that Slot is only now beginning to highlight during a difficult title defense.

High Stakes in the Battle for Europe

Beyond the local bragging rights, the match carries significant weight for the Premier League table. Liverpool currently sits just five points ahead of Everton, fighting to secure a top-five finish to guarantee Champions League football following a string of recent eliminations from the FA Cup and Europe. Conversely, Moyes’ side occupies eighth place and could climb as high as sixth with a victory. The Toffees enter the game in strong form, having won three of their last five matches, and are bolstered by the return of midfielder Charly Alcaraz from injury.