David Moyes is hoping Everton can keep their dream of qualifying for Europe alive when they face Liverpool on Sunday.

The Toffees host the Reds in the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with just five points separating the sides in eighth and fifth respectively.

Everton are level on points with seventh-place Brentford, with whom they drew 2-2 last weekend, while they are just one point behind Chelsea in the Europa League position.

Moyes insisted Everton will do what they can to move up the table, but will be cautious about letting the teams behind them get closer.

Just three points separate sixth-place Chelsea and 11th-placed Bournemouth.

"All we can do is try and catch whoever is above us," said Moyes.

"I think Brentford are the ones above us at the moment, so we have to try and attempt to get whoever we can.

"But probably more important is to make sure we don't let anybody catch us, because if we stay in a strong position, then we'll give ourselves a chance of getting something regarding Europe, maybe not, but we have to try and make sure we fend off all the other teams as well.

"I think that's the biggest thing for me that we're six games to go, that we have something to play for here.

"I'm hoping we can keep it going and keep that dream alive. Let's see what happens."

Everton have won their last two home Premier League matches, and are looking to win three in a row at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time in what is their 17th game there.

Liverpool are in poor form, with one win in their last five games in all competitions (L4), but Moyes claimed he is not giving much thought to the Reds' recent results.

"I don't watch Liverpool's results really," added Moyes.

"I don't really take a lot to do with it. I look after Everton. My job is to see that we try and do as well as we can.

"We had a good point at Brentford, considering where they are, and they're in a similar position to us.

"I can only focus on us, and we can keep it going."