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Neymar: Liverpool hero explains why star will never match Lionel Messi ahead of PSG clash
LIVERPOOL hero John Aldridge has claimed Neymar will never be on the same level as Pele, Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi due to being the 'biggest cheat in world football'.
Liverpool vs PSG: Neymar and teammates inspect Anfield pitch
The Reds will come face to face with the Brazilian at Anfield this evening, as PSG travel to Merseyside for their opening set of Champions League group stage fixtures.
Neymar has been routinely criticised for his theatrics in recent years but shows no sign of changing his style of play despite his reputation.
And Aldridge believes this is why he can't be compared with some of football's greatest ever players.
"Liverpool have to be careful when they face Neymar because for me he's the biggest cheat in world football," he wrote in the Liverpool Echo.
He's one of the most gifted players but he lets football down with his antics
"I couldn't believe some of his diving and playacting at the World Cup in Russia.
"He's one of the most gifted players but he lets football down with his antics.
"Liverpool have to be canny because the PSG attacker will be doing everything he can to gain an unfair advantage at Anfield on Tuesday night.
"We need the referee to be strong and we need our defenders to avoid any silly challenges.
"When you've got that amount of skill, you don't need to behave like Neymar does and it's sad to see.
"It's the reason why he will never be rated as one of the all-time greats, alongside the likes of Pele, Maradona and Messi."
Jurgen Klopp has defended the former Barcelona star, playing down Neymar's antics.
"I saw a few games at the World Cup I know people were talking about that when it looked like he made more of a situation than it was,” he said.
Neymar scores stunning solo goal in five-a-side game
“For me that is a completely normal reaction because players were really going for him and he wants to protect himself.
“I don’t think he is a person who wants to act, because if you are like that you cannot play the football he plays [if you do].”
Liverpool take on PSG at Anfield this evening, kicking off at 8pm.