David Moyes is not envious of Merseyside derby rivals Liverpool's huge summer transfer business but pointed out they spent more on one player than Everton have invested in their squad in the last two seasons.
Alexander Isak's £125m arrival from Newcastle on deadline day broke the British transfer record and took the outlay at Anfield this summer to £450m. By contrast, Everton spent about £63m.
"You have to earn the right to (spend money). First of all you have to win and be in the big competitions which make the money," said Moyes ahead of Saturday's 247th Merseyside derby.
"I found at West Ham three years in Europe allowed us to spend money and bring money in.
"From that point of view I think Liverpool are entitled to do it. I heard Arne (Liverpool boss Slot) defending himself saying he's brought in a lot of money as well.
"But I still think they've spent more on one player than we have on the whole squad."
Moyes was asked if he enjoyed derby matches.
"I think I'd be lying if I said yes. It's much easier if you are the team who have the strongest squad," he added.
"We are up against it and we have to go there and fight for everything we can.
"It's having a realism of where the games are and where the clubs are. I need to try to shorten the gulf between the two clubs.
"At the moment Liverpool are champions, probably favourites or second favourites for the Champions League, and we are not.
"We are Everton, who have just come out of three or four difficult seasons and are trying to rebuild. Trying to bridge that gap is quite difficult to do."
