Moyes confirmed after his side's 2-2 UEFA Cup first round, first-leg draw with Standard Liege last night that the final details of his new deal "were back with the club."

Moyes has delayed signing a new deal that has been on the table for several months, but at last seems to be nearing agreement on a deal that is believed will double his wages and give him £17million over five years.

But that agreement could be two weeks away, at least, and by then Everton will have travelled to Belgium for the second leg of their time with Liege.

And on last night's evidence, Everton are no longer favourites to reach the competition's group stage.

Twice they had to come from behind with goals from Ayegbeni Yakubu and Segundo Castillo.

Liege had led through Dieumerci Mbokani and a Joseph Yobo own goal in a dramatic first half.

Moyes blamed poor defending for his side being left with an uphill task to survive in the UEFA Cup.

He said: "We will have to play well to win in Liege in a fortnight in the second leg.

"This was always going to be a difficult tie, but we have made it more so now."

But he still insists all is not lost in Europe. He said: "We have been in this position before. Last season we reserved our better performances for the away legs in Europe.

"But we have been punished for bad defending. The game was open, too open, for us.

"The defending was poor and that is what cost us tonight. Joleon Lescott is having a run when he had one good game and one poor game.

"Now we know we have to go to Liege and score. And we will have to play well. But all is not lost, we have won ties from this position before."

Standard Liege boss Laszlo Boloni believes his side are now in "a good position" as they approach the second leg in a fortnight.

Having been unfortunate to lose to Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers, Liege are now on the brink of getting their own back on the city.

He said: "But I have to be happy with that result. Last month against Liverpool we made a real statement about how good we are. We were unfortunate then.

"Now we have made another statement. It will still be a very hard game even at home for us, we are a very young side and lack international and European experience.

"Maybe playing with our hearts will be enough. But we know from the games with Liverpool that we can survive against a top Premier League side.

"Those games with Liverpool have given us confidence. We have already achieved much, but we are not quite there yet.

"We are in a favourable position, but still anything can happen."