Richarlison has aimed Virgil van Dijk ahead of the Merseyside derby on Sunday by saying there are three better defenders in the world.
Van Dijk and his Liverpool team-mates are on the cusp of winning the Premier League and need just two more wins to secure the first title in 30 years ahead of their clash with Everton.
They were hoping to secure it at their rivals’ home in Goodison Park but Arsenal failed to take points off Manchester City’s second place. Brazilian forward Richarlison and Everton will be keen to put a block to the title in Liverpool’s path – and he knows Van Dijk must be overcome to do so.
The Holland international is widely regarded as one of the world’s best players and has been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or, finishing in last year’s top three and winning the Champions League.
But 23-year-old Richarlison told Van Dijk that, in recent seasons, he is one of only a few players to dribble past him.
‘People talk about him a lot, yes he’s a great defender but I’ve already dribbled past him,’ Richarlison said in an interview with Desimpedidos about Van Dijk.
‘He was selected as one of the world’s top three because he’d had a fantastic season. But yes, there are better defenders available for me.’
Pressing on who is better than Van Dijk, the Brazilian named two of his countrymen and a star from Real Madrid, answering: ‘Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos.’
Jurgen Klopp also made it clear on Sunday evening that overcoming Everton would present a challenge to his side.
The manager of Liverpool said: ‘When you analyze Everton, you need to look at Napoli or any other team as well, because Carlo Ancelotti has a specific way he wants to play his team, and he’s long enough to push that through now.
‘So, it’s going to be a football side, they ‘re going to play as much football as we let them play.
‘We have to find challenges, win challenges, take advantage of gaps, find gaps, and all that stuff.’
