Richarlison has taken aim at Virgil van Dijk ahead of the Merseyside derby on Sunday by claiming 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 a first title in 30 years ahead of their clash with Everton.
They were hopeful of securing it at Goodison Park, the home of their rivals, but Arsenal failed to take points off Manchester City.
Brazilian forward Richarlison and Everton will be keen to put a block in Liverpool's path to the title – and knows he has to overcome Van Dijk to do so.
The Holland international is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world and has been shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or, finishing in the top three last year, along with winning the Champions League.
But 23-year-old Richarlison has reminded Van Dijk that he is one of few players to dribble past him in recent seasons.
'People talk a lot about him, yes he is a great defender but I've already dribbled past him,' Richarlison said of Van Dijk in an interview with Desimpedidos.
'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.'
When pressed on who is better than Van Dijk, the Brazilian named two of his compatriots and a Real Madrid star, replying: 'Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos'.
Jurgen Klopp has also made clear that overcoming Everton will be a challenge for his side on Sunday evening.
The Liverpool manager said: 'When you analyse Everton now you have to look as well to Napoli or any other team because Carlo Ancelotti has a specific way he wants his team to play and he is long enough there now to push that through.
'So, it will be a football-playing side, they will play as much football as we let them.
'We have to find challenges, win challenges, use gaps, find gaps and all that stuff.'
JohnWick7
1610
Fun Fact:- Ramos is the Most underrated Attacker
Nadan7pro
759
Who is the real CB? Answer: Sergio Ramos 📌 Who is the overhyped and photocopy of CB: Answer: Virgil Van Dijk [Crylaugh]
ronnie_luv
641
i accept Van Dijk is a Good Defender, infact he's really good but he's NOWHERE near to Sergio Ramos, his past seasons have been wonderful but only if he keeps performing at this level for years he may come a bit more close to top Defenders
rusbdelsy2
508
there is no way someone except ramos is at level of vvd
❤Ràshnîc❤
333
Ramos is the best defender of all time
barcaisinmydna
280
Even 2015 Pique was better than VVD true fans know how Pique was that time...but now due to age he has become slow but he is an elite cb but VVD is one of the best now
KushagraGupta
243
Only our Sergio Ramos(SR4) is better than VVD
rusbdelsy2
11
Who is the real CB? Answer: Sergio Ramos 📌 Who is the overhyped and photocopy of CB: Answer: Virgil Van Dijk [Crylaugh]
vvd is best cb in world and that's final.
Divyansh26
8
Who is the real CB? Answer: Sergio Ramos 📌 Who is the overhyped and photocopy of CB: Answer: Virgil Van Dijk [Crylaugh]
When LFC fans say Alisson is so good MNU fans react oh he has VVD at back ......but according to u all delusional fans VVD is overhyped then how's Alisson too good guess u all don't have any idea 😂😂..... when Alisson is good he has VVD but when someone praises VVD he is overhyped 😂
Bilal03
8
Only our Sergio Ramos(SR4) is better than VVD
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We cannot compare VVD and Ramos. VVD has performed exceptionally well for 2 years compared to Ramos who is doing this for 10 years. So Definitely Ramos has the edge. But one thing which is very imp is playing good football and winning tackle that's where VVD holds a upper hand . Sergio is a fighter he will do anything to win for his team ,no wonder he has so many red cards . When it's comes to playing clean and producing a CS against best teams (Barcelona) that's where VVD is incredible. And if he performs at this level for another 10 years then VVD>Ramos. For now Ramos>VVD.