Richarlison says Everton must “do justice” to the Club’s shirt when Chelsea come to Goodison Park on Saturday.
Forward Richarlison has scored in Everton’s past two games but finished on the losing side both times.
And the Brazilian, who struck for the seventh time this season at Anfield in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby, insisted personal achievements count for nothing when unaccompanied by positive results.
Indeed he was despondent following his side’s defeat by Liverpool – but vowed to channel that disappointment to positive ends against Chelsea in a match that will see Duncan Ferguson take charge of Everton as caretaker manager.
“We need to be responsible and stand up for ourselves,” Richarlison told evertontv.
“We play for Everton, we play for a big club and need to do the shirt justice.
“We know we are going through a tough period and need to improve.
“We have a really important game on Saturday.
“We need to rest now, then go and get the three points.
“I am trying to do as best as I can in every game, I am scoring goals and I need to continue scoring goals to lead the team to victory.”
Richarlison joined Everton last year and this week agreed terms on a new deal to stay with the Club until at least summer 2024.
He tied with Gylfi Sigurdsson on 14 goals as Everton’s top scorer last term and this season opened his account with a double in September’s 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Richarlison hit the winner at Southampton last month - and was on target in Carabao Cup victories over Lincoln City and former club Watford - but his powerful header against Leicester on Sunday was overturned by two second-half goals.
His leaping effort to convert a cross from Bernard in midweek came with Everton already trailing Liverpool in a 5-2 defeat.
The South American, however, counted the return of compatriot Bernard as one plus to emerge from the season’s first derby.
Bernard replaced Djibril Sidibe in the opening half after missing six weeks with a knee problem and is in contention to face Chelsea.
“Bernard is important for this team," said Richarlison.
“I hope he can be 100 per cent because we need him.
“He is an important player, he can create space and attack well… he is great for us.
“Everyone is believing… we can’t get down.
“It was hard to lose this derby but on Saturday we have another big game.
“As players we need to recover as quickly as possible and go into the next match 100 per cent.”
Everton beat Chelsea 2-0 at the back end of last season with Richarlison on target.
That success acted as the springboard for a run of five wins and two draws from eight games.
"It it a great memory but we are not on a good run of form and right now everyone needs to get together and be ready for another big game," added Richarlison.
"Winning any way would feel like a huge victory for us, it would be a great feeling.
“We are going through a difficult period and need to mature and improve as soon as possible.”
