EVERTON forward Richarlison has upped the ante ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside Derby, by claiming that there are three better defenders out there than Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman has been a talismanic figure for the Reds, winning numerous awards and gathering praise and respect from all quarters.
But Richarlison, 23, is unfazed by his illustrious opponent – instead reminding him that he has “dribbled past him” before.
The Brazilian told Desimpedidos: “People talk a lot about him, yes he is a great defender but I’ve already dribbled past him.
“He was chosen as one of the top three in the world as he had an excellent season. But yes, for me there are better defenders.”
Probed further on who these “better defenders” are, Richarlison went for two of his Brazilian compatriots at Paris Saint-Germain – as well as a certain Spaniard that’s not too popular at Anfield…
He named them as: “Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos.”
The Ligue 1 pair have helped PSG to unparalleled dominance in France – while Ramos has been a Real Madrid stalwart for the last 15 years.
But Reds fans will remember the tangle with Mohamed Salah early on in the 2018 Champions League final that left the Egyptian writhing in agony and unable to continue.
Van Dijk, 28, scooped last season’s PFA Player of the Year and Uefa Men’s Player of the Year awards – as well as coming second only to Lionel Messi in the Ballon d’Or.
He has helped Liverpool to complete dominance over the Premier League this season – as well as to glory in last season’s Champions League.
Richarlison is bullish, however, having scored against the Reds back in December… albeit in a 5-2 defeat.
The Toffees will privately be sighing in relief that Arsenal failed to cause an upset against Manchester City on Wednesday night, which would have enabled Liverpool to win the title with a win at Goodison Park.
As it happens, Jurgen Klopp’s side are just two victories away from securing their first league title since 1990.
