Leon Osman: 'Everton can finish higher than Liverpool this season'

Everton midfielder Leon Osman has insisted that his team is capable of finishing above city rivals Liverpool this season.

The Reds finished as Premier League runners-up last season, with the Blues off the pace in fifth, but Osman believes that it could be a different story this time around.

"Yes we can. It's going to be difficult though," he told talkSPORT when asked whether Everton will finish higher than Liverpool this season.

"Liverpool have strengthened, but so have we. We both have extra commitments with Europe this year but we aim to finish above them every season."

Everton will face Porto in long-serving Osman's testimonial on August 3.