Everton should show 'arrogance' in derby, says Rooney

[Getty Images]

Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney believes his old club are in better form than Merseyside rivals Liverpool and should go into Sunday's derby with "a bit of arrogance about them".

It is Liverpool's first trip to the Toffees' new Hill Dickinson Stadium and David Moyes' side could close the gap to Arne Slot's in fifth to just two points with a win.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Everton player said: "Derby week's always horrible for Evertonians. Maybe not this one because Everton are in decent form, but it's not nice.

"Everton have done well. I think I half-expected them to be better with Moyesy [David Moyes] and they've done well this season. And Liverpool haven't done so well and are struggling a bit. This is one where Everton have to have a bit of arrogance about them.

"I think Everton over the last few months have been the better team and the new stadium, the atmosphere's been great, so go in there with a bit of belief that you can win."

MMA fighter and Liverpool fan Paddy Pimblett was a guest on the podcast and said: "Moyes just does something for Everton. I don't know what it is, he just does something."

On what Moyes brings to the club, Rooney said: "He's not over-complicated. Sometimes in football, you can over-complicate it. Probably in fighting as well, you can think about it too much rather than doing your job that's right there in front of you, and that's what he's done."