Richards claims attacker wanted by Liverpool can be ‘as good as Hazard’ after latest display

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Micah Richards told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (27/04/21 at 10:00 pm) that rumoured Liverpool target, Christian Pulisic, can be ‘as good as Eden Hazard’ after his performance for Chelsea on Tuesday night.

The 22-year-old struck a crucial away goal for Chelsea as they recorded a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The Daily Mail reported in March that Liverpool are interested in luring Pulisic’s talents away from London and towards Merseyside this summer.

The American hasn’t hit the heights many thought he would this season, but injuries have played their part in that, as well as a change in manager.

But the explosive left-footed winger, who is perhaps more like a young Gareth Bale, was compared to a Premier League legend by Richards.

“He performed,” said Richards. “There was big pressure by him tonight. A lot of people saying ‘he doesn’t do it in the big games and the manager doesn’t trust him’. He delivered. 

“He scored at the right moment. He’s composed in what he did – he’s getting back to what he’s expected to be. If he stays fit, he can be whatever he wants to be. I love him. I think he’s a great talent.

“He is just influential. He is a big-game player. We have a laugh and a joke, but he’s a serious talent. It’s just about keeping him fit and keeping that confidence. The manager trusts him. And I believe in him. I believe in his ability. 

“I think he can be as good as Eden Hazard. That big. That’s how much I believe in his ability.”

Hazard was on the same field as Pulisic last night, and whilst the struggling Real Madrid man came off the bench, he still couldn’t provide that desired impact for his team.

Like Pulisic in London, Hazard has had injury problems in Madrid and it has resulted in him looking like a shadow of the player that dominated England’s top-flight for many years.

Before anything, Pulisic will have to remain fit to try and reach Hazard’s levels, and then he needs the game time.

With Chelsea jam-packed in that attacking department, it will leave a few senior faces upset at their lack of game time, and if one of them ends up being Pulisic, then that’s when it’s time for the likes of Liverpool to pounce.