The biggest dilemma around Liverpool ahead of the 243rd Merseyside derby regarded the status of their South American continent.
returning all four safely to Merseyside ahead of the visit from the Blues was top of the agenda for Jurgen Klopp.
The previous international break saw Klopp opt to leave Diaz and Nunez on the bench at Wolves as Mac Allister, who had been playing - to use Klopp's phrasing - "in the mountains of Bolivia" just a few days earlier struggled during his 45-minute cameo.
This time around, Nunez, who suffered cramp during the 2-0 victory against Alisson's Brazil, was left on the bench as Diaz and Mac Allister were entrusted to help see off Sean Dyche's side
Lessons have clearly been learned from the September break as Liverpool sought to organise the return of their South American quartet earlier
A private jet was chartered to ensure there were as little travel issues as possible for all four players, with Klopp hinting that it had come at quite the expense for the club
It's a far from ideal situation but it's an unavoidable one that Liverpool handled better in October than they did in September
The No.9's productive season goes on but it was the quiet contributions of Diaz that ultimately made the difference
It was Diaz who was upended near the halfway line in the first half by Ashley Young and if the veteran full-back was unhappy with that decision from Craig Pawson he could have few complaints about the second caution
Everton defended resolutely with 10 men in the second period but it was Diaz who again caused problems when his cross was handled by substitute Michael Keane
it was Diaz's willingness to run at the Everton defence every chance he got that eventually broke them down
More of the same will be needed when the Reds are next in 12.30-kick-off action on the other side of international break, at Manchester City in late November.
Comentários