Tottenham's Richarlison had a spat with Harvey Elliott during Liverpool's 5-1 win at Anfield on Sunday, yet the Brazilian's relationship with former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was far from fractured
Liverpool's complicated relationship with ex-Everton star Richarlison was thrust back into the spotlight following a spat with Reds' midfielder Harvey Elliott on Sunday. After Liverpool crushed Spurs 5-1 to clinch the Premier League title, the former Everton player once again cemented himself as persona non grata with the Kop.
However, the Brazilian international has previously shown a softer side towards the Red half of Merseyside, thanks to an unexpected mutual respect with Jurgen Klopp. Richarlison spent four years at Everton before making a £60million move to Spurs in the summer of 2022.
When Everton signed Richarlison from Watford in 2018, Klopp was full of admiration for the star.
"[Marco, former Everton manager] Silva has the best Everton squad [I have faced]," Klopp said at the time. "He brought in Richarlison, what a player he is. It's the best-tuned squad, 100 per cent."
However, it wasn't long before the Blues' star ruffled Klopp's feathers with a nasty tackle on Thiago Alcantara during a fiery derby at Goodison Park in 2020.
Richarlison received a straight red card, but the challenge sidelined Thiago for two months. Virgil van Dijk also sustained a season-ending injury in the same match due to a reckless tackle from Jordan Pickford.
Klopp was far from pleased with the Everton pair after the incident, reports the Liverpool Echo. "Something happened which for sure should not have happened in a football game," Klopp said a few days later.
"It's not the first time and it will probably not be the last time, but yes, I see it similar to my players. Both challenges were difficult to accept, let me say it like this."
The pair were later involved in a touchline fracas during Liverpool's controversial defeat to Tottenham in 2023. Klopp was again not happy with Richarlison over a rough tackle on Mohamed Salah.
However, it appeared that any conflict between them was firmly put to bed upon Klopp leaving the Reds in the summer of 2024.
As Klopp was preparing to leave Anfield, Richarlison shared an unprompted, and classy, message on Instagram alongside a picture of him embracing the German coach.
It read: "Despite the rivalry that was only on the pitch, you are one of the best managers I have ever seen. May God bless your journey.”
Liverpool fans, surprised by the gesture, even found themselves commending the former Toffee. One fan wise-cracked: "Wow, I no longer hate him. That's nice of him."
However, it seems Richarlison may have fallen out of favour with Reds' supporters once more. As the clock ticked down to Arne Slot's side becoming champions at the weekend, the Brazilian was outraged with Elliott's daring attempt of a nutmeg when play was halted for a foul.
The Brazilian confronted Elliott, leading to an altercation that was marked by Elliott's '30' hand gesture towards the ex-Evertonian.
There's been speculation that Elliott was alluding to Everton's long-standing, 30-year trophy drought, with Richarlison still widely loved by the Toffees faithful, and the admiration is very much reciprocated.
The spat didn't just stay on the pitch, however, as the 27-year-old fired back at Elliott in the comments of a TikTok video. "He wants to reach 30 goals in his career I think [grinning face with sweat emoji]," Richarlison posted.
Once a blue, always a blue...