Everton winger Richarlison has fanned the flames of the Merseyside Derby by claiming there are better defenders out there than Liverpool’s talismanic centre-back Virgil Van Dijk.
Speaking to the YouTube channel Desimpedidos ahead of Sunday’s clash, the Brazilian was asked if he thought Van Dijk was as good as people say he is and while he had plenty of positive things to say about the Dutchman, Richarlison went on to name three defenders he thinks are better.
Richarlison replied: “People talk a lot about him. He’s a great defender, yes, but I’ve dribbled past him, see? I’ve gone past him. He was chosen there among the three best in the world, with good reason, he had an excellent season last year. Great defender, yes, I have to agree. But I think there are better defenders.
“Thiago Silva, Marquinhos on the same level. Another one? Sérgio Ramos.”
Richarlison happy to stay at Goodison
The inclusion of Thiago Silva will certainly catch the eyes of Blues fans as Richarlison’s compatriot has been heavily linked with a move to Goodison Park in the last few days.
Should Silva join the Blues this summer, it is likely he will link up with Richarlison at Finch Farm with the winger stating he is happy at Everton and that despite offers from larger clubs he wishes to remain at the club saying:
“Several proposals arrived in the middle of the season. Barcelona, Manchester," he added.
“The club decided to hold on because I also didn’t want to leave the team like that in the middle of the season. It’s bad to leave your teammates like that. I even renewed the contract. I’m happy here, I prefer to stay here.”
Last-minute heartbreak
He also spoke about the weight of the derby on the city of Liverpool and the feeling of despair that was brought about by Divock Origi’s injury-time winner in the fixture last season.
He said: “The rivalry is very heavy. When it’s derby day here, the city stops. Whoever wins has a party and whoever loses goes to the coffin. Here it’s like that.
“Last year we lost in the 94th minute, it was a huge disappointment because we were doing well in the league, we were fighting for a Champions League spot, and suddenly that defeat came.
"The dressing room was bad. That defeat came and the team lost confidence, we started losing some games. So the derby here is very important to win during the year.”