Liverpool vs Everton: Virgil van Dijk will destroy childish Richarlison

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk will destroy Richarlison.

Richarlison de Andrade, Brazilian forward, rising star at Everton. He has laid down a marker for Sunday’s derby at Goodison Park.

In an obvious gamesmanship gambit, a bit of smacking the bear, as it were, the young lad has gone off and popped his mouth off in the press.

“I know three defenders better than Virgil van Dijk,” Peter Thompson reported that he said in Goal.

Ahhh, the follies of youth.

Never mind that Virgil knows a dozen better forwards than Richarlison, I’m also quite sure, Mr. Van Dijk was prepared to give his best to Sunday’s effort before this statement was made.

Perhaps now, Virgil van Dijk’s ire has been piqued a bit (he will never let you see it on the pitch). His steady confidence and poise will not be shaken by such childish antics.

But he will be coming loaded for bear now and I expect to see him take particular care to nullify the Everton attack, with extreme prejudice. He will give his response to Richarlison on Sunday on Everton’s pitch.

Rest assured, Jürgen Klopp will see to this.

Everton having shipped 46 goals in this campaign already, are porous at the back. Even with Jordan Pickford between the sticks. Theo Walcott, right forward, is doubtful for the match.

Carlo Ancelotti is without doubt the wildcard in the mix of this tie.

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Ancelotti, and now Diego Simeone are the only managers to tag the Reds to two losses in Champions League this season with Atletico, and last campaign against Ancelotti’s Napoli.

No one else has logged two victories against Liverpool in the same season in over two years. And no one in the EPL has come close.

Never underestimate the guile and cunning of Ancelotti, he has Klopp’s number and knows very well how to set up a match to frustrate the lanky German.

Mohamed Salah is doubtful, as much a precaution as a serious knock, so I’m told. Look for Takumi Minamino to start in his stead. Also look for Naby Keita to get the nod in midfield, he has a lot to prove this summer and fall.

I look for him to get quality minutes over the course of the next couple of months to get him time on the pitch to ‘right his ship’ and get on course to provide the intensity and ball skills that brought him to Anfield from Leipzig in the first place.

Only time will tell, I like Keita, he has had a run of tough luck with injuries and such, but he is a gifted footballer, and I wish him the greatest success.

I see Klopp’s midfield shaping up like this: Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and Keita to start, with nods to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Gini Wijnaldum as subs.

The defense is set with Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez, van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold across the back line.

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Joel Matip or James Milner may get the nod to relieve Robertson who has been nursing a niggling knock. Allison will definitely be between the posts. Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Minamino round out the side to start.

The other allotted subs to be held back for injuries or for the young lads champing at the bit for a chance. Depending on how the match unfolds, we could see the likes of Nico Williams at right back, Divock Origi or Harvey Elliot up front, or even a Cutis Jones or Leighton Clarkson in midfield.

I expect a tough slog here for the lads simply because of the Ancelotti wildcard. Never underestimate the Italian maestro. And the three month lay-off will have some effect to be sure.

Due to the ‘bear baiting’ by Richarlison, the Reds should have a bit of extra intestinal fortitude to give to the effort beyond just the need for three points.

I look for the Reds to hand Richarlison and Ancelotti ann company a solid 2-0 decision before moving on to the next fixture with Crystal Palace.