Everton forward Richarlison has questioned the quality of Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk ahead of the Merseyside derby this weekend.
The Brazilian says he rates other centre-backs higher than the Dutchman after claiming he has gotten the better of the Reds defender in the past:
“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.”
Fans on Twitter were not impressed by Richarlison’s comments and they are hoping van Dijk makes him eat his words on Sunday:
This is great ammo
— ????? (@ChrisWalley01) June 19, 2020
Big mistake pal. Big virg is not gonna give u an inch on Sunday.
— Mike Dougherty (@MikeDou18441382) June 19, 2020
Richarlison is in for a bad time on sunday.
— Pauly (@Thegodfarther36) June 19, 2020
This won’t end well ?
— Terry Whelan (@TerRed77) June 19, 2020
Good luck on Sunday lad ??
— Tom (@tomfurlong_) June 19, 2020
I hope vvd shows him who is boss on Sunday
— Omar (@osayed_11) June 19, 2020
@SeshMeetsWorld absolute joke?
— Delwyn (@Delwyn9) June 19, 2020
Not a good idea to mess with big man
— Berlin (@1UNbearableRED) June 19, 2020
Ooh boy it’s going to be fun on Sunday.
— Life (@Botshelo4Life) June 19, 2020
Oh dear, silly silly boy!
— mark jackson (@mariojackio) June 19, 2020
It is probably not the wisest move to rile the Netherlands captain heading into such a big game. He is unlikely to be flustered by the comments but he will certainly be looking to use them as motivation to put in a top drawer display.
Van Dijk and his fellow teammates will need to be careful, though, with the Toffees likely to select two upfront in Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The pair are very dangerous in the air and their physicality will make them a tough challenge for Liverpool’s defence to face; one that van Dijk will want to prove himself equal to.