9 derby goals explain David Moyes' blunt Mohamed Salah verdict

For football supporters across Britain, the idea of Mohamed Salah crossing Merseyside after leaving Liverpool was always going to attract attention. Everton manager David Moyes has now shut down that possibility in emphatic terms, saying the rivalry and Salah's status at Anfield make such a move impossible. The Egyptian forward remains without a new club while his future is unresolved during Egypt's World Cup campaign.

Setting the Scene

Salah's departure from Liverpool created one of the biggest questions of the summer: where does one of the club's most celebrated players go next? His destination has not been announced, and several reports say he will remain a free agent until Egypt's World Cup campaign is over.

That uncertainty provided the opening for a light-hearted question on Egyptian television station ON Sport. Moyes was asked whether Everton might attempt the most provocative move imaginable in Merseyside football by signing a player so closely associated with Liverpool.

The suggestion had an obvious edge. Salah scored nine goals against Everton during his Liverpool career, a record that repeatedly made him a problem for the blue half of the city. He also left Anfield after a trophy-filled spell that included two Premier League titles, the 2019 Champions League, the Club World Cup, the 2022 FA Cup and two League Cups.

Here's What Happened

Moyes first made clear that he was speaking as the manager of Liverpool's local rivals. Rather than hide Everton's relief at Salah's departure, he openly acknowledged how difficult the forward had been to face.

He praised Salah as a goalscorer and described his Liverpool performances as exceptional. That admiration, however, did not translate into any interest in bringing the Egyptian to Everton.

When the transfer possibility was put directly to him, Moyes gave a decisive answer. The Liverpool Echo reported his response from the ON Sport interview.

No, no. Not possible. The rivalry is too big.

He then explained that Salah's meaning to Liverpool was simply too significant for an Everton switch to be realistic. The answer turned a speculative transfer question into a broader statement about how deeply the forward is identified with his former club.

Reactions & Responses

Moyes combined rivalry with respect. He admitted that Everton supporters were glad to see Salah leave Liverpool because of how effective he had been, but he also paid tribute to the standard of the forward's career.

But I think all Evertonians were glad to see the back of Mo because he has been so good over the years.

His comments reflect the unusual position Salah now occupies. He is no longer a Liverpool player, yet his connection to the club remains strong enough that a move to Everton was dismissed on identity and rivalry grounds before sporting details were even considered.

The Bigger Picture

Salah's next move matters well beyond one club. According to the supplied reports, he finished his Liverpool career with 257 goals, while one source described him as the club's third-highest goalscorer of all time. His nine goals against Everton also explain why Moyes could praise him and express relief in the same interview.

For British football audiences, the exchange also shows how a free transfer can still be constrained by history. A player may be available without a transfer fee, but the emotional weight of a rivalry can make certain destinations effectively off limits. Moyes' answer suggests Everton see Salah in precisely that category.

The immediate effect is simple: one possible destination can be crossed off. Football365 also reported that Everton will not be Salah's next club, while his actual destination remains unknown.

The Road Ahead

Salah's club future is expected to remain unresolved until Egypt's World Cup campaign concludes. No next destination has been named in the supplied reports.

What has been confirmed is that the blue half of Merseyside is not an option. Moyes' answer could hardly have been clearer.