Source: Daily_Mail
Everton are stronger than Liverpool, says Tim Howard
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard has endorsed the bookmakers' decision to make his team favourites to beat Liverpool in the Merseyside derby. [LNB]Howard has been used to Everton being poor relations in the city since he arrived from Manchester United in 2006 but says David Moyes's squad today are stronger than the one Roy Hodgson has to pick from. [LNB]'We have top quality international players from front to back, I think more so in comparison to Liverpool,' he said. [LNB] International class: Howard believes Everton's squad is better than Liverpool's[LNB]'David Moyes has been building the squad for a number of years and it's the strongest Everton have had in a long, long time. We are way better than our league position suggests in terms of talent and it's time to get the show on the road.' [LNB]I hear you: Howard hopes Liverpool's new owner John W Henry will refrain from wearing the club colours[LNB]Everton only achieved their first win of the season in their lastouting against Birmingham but are still above Liverpool on goaldifference. [LNB]'I think there's more balance between theteams,' added Howard. 'They've always been a good footballing team butwe've become a much better side as well. [LNB]'We can play good football and can also fight and battle. Derbies are usually tight and both teams are under pressure because of poor starts to the season. From our point of view, we've only played one bad game, against Newcastle, but individual errors have killed us.' [LNB]As an American, Howard has been particularly interested in seeing Liverpool change hands from one set of compatriots, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to another in John W Henry. [LNB]And he warns Henry that ideas like a groundshare which work in America will be a hard sell here. [LNB]'American sports are not as tribal,' he said. 'I still haven't figured out in England how teams can groundshare because there's so much passion.' [LNB]And he advises against Henry going over-the-top when he makes his Anfield bow against Blackburn next weekend. [LNB]STAT ATTACK...The Mersey derby has seen more redcards than any other Premier Leaguegame 19 in 36. In the last sevenderbies at Goodison, there have beenseven sendings-off all for Everton.[LNB]'I think it's a joke when new owners from outside wear the colours and all that,' he added. 'They don't have a clue but think it looks good. [LNB]'It's up to them what they do but it's not the same as having someone like Bill Kenwright, who cares about the club and is always there, home and away.' [LNB]Everton will be without Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar and Phil Jagielka, while Liverpool have Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger missing. Hooray Henry is here to win! New Liverpool owner sets sights on LeagueCahill is ready for a kicking in the 'most exciting game of his career'Liverpool crisis? How does Hodgson's class of 2010 rate alongside Fagan's 1984 'flops'EVERTON FC
