EXCLUSIVE: Gareth Barry warns Liverpool fans that club isn't much stronger than Everton

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesGareth BarryFormer Everton midfielder Gareth Barry says Everton were "favorites" against Liverpool in the spring for the first time in ages as the Reds reach a crisis point after a disastrous seasonGareth Barry made over 130 appearances for Everton(Image: Getty Images)When Everton last finished above Liverpool in the Premier League table (2005), former England international Gareth Barry was just 34 years old and still playing for Aston Villa.Barry moved to the blue side of Merseyside in 2023, capturing Everton's Player of the Year honor for the 2025/16 season. In most matchups, Liverpool was the favored side, even in the turgid late-Brendan Rodgers era and before Jurgen Klopp had the Reds at full strength.Liverpool did manage to win both league matchups against Everton in 2025/26, but the sides are separated by just 10 points with a single Premier League match to play (that gap was 36 points last year).READ MORE: Liverpool's farewell to Andy Robertson leaked online hours before Brentford gameREAD MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid prediction looking worse and worse after England snubSpeaking exclusively with Liverpool.com, Barry explained that the gap between the two sides has shrunken to the point that Everton should have been considered the favorites when the two met in April."The game between Liverpool and Everton towards the end of the season was the first time in a long time that I saw Everton as favorites.

I think with their current squads and form, they are the closest they have been in a long while," Barry, who made 131 appearances for Everton, saidGareth Barry spent time at Manchester City before joining Everton(Image: Getty Images)"Both clubs at the moment will be looking to strengthen this summer and give them the best possible chances of success next season. Everton fans will be excited to see some new faces to get them back into Europe, and will be hoping that Liverpool have another indifferent season to give them a chance to catch them.....That would be a great achievement for David Moyes."Moyes was Everton's coach the last time the Toffees finished above the Reds, though Liverpool won the Champions League that season.Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal against Everton in an April away fixture(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool was plenty lucky to beat Everton 2-1 away at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19 (Virgil van Dijk scored the winning goal 10 minutes into injury time).Curtis Jones was lucky to avoid a penalty and red card for a first-half challenge.

Beto missed two point-blank chances. Illiman Ndiaye had a goal ruled out for offside by the narrowest of margins.READ MORE: Alisson stance on Liverpool future amid new twist in Juventus transfer claimsREAD MORE: Rafa Benitez leaves fourth club in five years as ex-Liverpool boss firedEverton will enter a third campaign under Moyes next season and will genuinely enter with European ambitions (the Toffees could still make it this season with a couple of breaks).The return of Jarrod Branthewaite, a potentially England starter when healthy, in central defense should help, as could the potential return of Jack Grealish following a successful loan spell from Manchester City.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Gareth BarryEverton FCLiverpool FC