Mark Smith

Fri 11 February 2022 18:10, UK

Phil Hay has responded to claims that Leeds United star Raphinha will be “furious” this week after the 3-3 draw with Aston Villa.

The Brazilian didn’t have his best game for the Whites at Villa Park and will be looking to bounce back against Everton tomorrow (12 February).

Raphinha has scored each time he has faced Everton during his time at Leeds and has been backed to do the same at Goodison Park.

Speaking on the Phil Hay Show this morning (11 February), Dan Moylan insisted that the magician wasn’t at his best.

“Raphinha had a bit of a stinker,” he said.

“He always scores against Everton and always looks really, really effective, and I just can’t help but feel he’ll be furious, he likes Everton and will want a bit of a remedy.”

Hay responded to those claims and insisted that others need to step up when the Brazilian isn’t quite at the races.

“I think he’s done a lot to carry Leeds, and there are going to be games where he doesn’t play well and I don’t think at all unreasonable in those games that you look for Rodrigo to step up offensively.

“He does like a goal against Everton.”

Day off.

Marcelo Bielsa will have had no major complaints with Raphinha given he has dragged us through many games this season.

The Brazilian will be raring to get back out there and make a huge difference at Goodison Park, and we will all back him to do that.

We don’t want our players to be happy if they haven’t played well, but instead, we want them to get straight back out there and make that difference.

The winger will still be the first name on the teamsheet on Merseyside, and given that Everton have no recognised left-back, he will be as hungry as ever.

There will be no big concerns from any of the fans going up to Liverpool regarding Raphinha, and he is certainly going to make a huge difference – you don’t want to be facing him angry.

In other Leeds United news, Gary Lineker was left stunned by ‘Bonkers’ developments in Aston Villa draw this week