Everton manager David Moyes believes that the FA Cup is his side's only hope of a European return.
The Toffees currently sit ninth in the Premier League table, five points adrift of sixth-place and a guaranteed Europa League place.
Moyes, who has no regrets over fielding an understrength team in the 3-0 defeat at Anfield, does not believe that Everton can realistically expect to challenge near the top of the division because of the gulf in financial power.
However, if his side can overcome Sunderland in the FA Cup today then they will be potentially one win away from a place in the Europa League.
"The cup is a massive thing for Everton. For the fact we haven't won a trophy in a while and obviously because we can't win the league either," Moyes told The Express.
"It's looking more and more that we'll have a struggle to make Europe through our league position.
"So the cup in its own way will probably be one of the best chances we have of getting our hands on a European spot."
Everton's last European adventure ended in 2010 with a 4-2 aggregate defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
Robert Summerscales
