• Premier League

Pienaar: Europe more important than beating Liverpool

ESPN staff
May 2, 2013
Steven Pienaar wants European football at Everton © PA Photos
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Steven Pienaar says Everton are more concerned about qualifying for Europe than finishing above neighbours Liverpool.

The Toffees currently lead their local rivals by five points in the Premier League, sitting one place above them in sixth place.

The pair meet on Sunday, and a first league victory at Anfield since 1999 would ensure David Moyes' men finish above the Reds this season.

Pienaar, however, says his side are more focused on overtaking Tottenham, who are three points ahead with a game in hand, to land the the remaining European spot and a place in next term's Europa League.

"The most important thing is to get into Europe,'' he told the club's television channel. "I know at this stage it is difficult but we just want to win the games and see how far we go.

"You don't know what is going to happen on top of us. Maybe one of the teams can lose all their games and we win all ours. We just want to win the games that are left.''

Despite European qualification being the main focus, the midfielder says he and his team-mates are still desperate to get one over on Liverpool.

"Derbies mean a lot and we know what's at stake. For the people of the city and the pride of the club it's one of those games you don't want to lose," he said. "We will give everything to make sure we come away from Anfield with three points because it has been a long while since we won there.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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