Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on Philippe Coutinho following his man-of-the-match performance during Saturday's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
The Brazilian returned from lengthy travels during the international break to put in a sparkling display against Everton, scoring one and creating another to help his side to a 3-1 victory.
Klopp revealed that Coutinho was not happy when he was withdrawn but, having already lost Sadio Mane to injury during a feisty affair, the Liverpool boss was unwilling to risk the same fate befalling another key player.
"We spoke a lot about the national team and said it's not so cool that they had to leave wherever to go wherever, but obviously I have to say thank you to the whole staff of the Brazil national team because they gave us both boys back in a fantastic mood," he told reporters.
"It was a world-class goal, another fantastic finish and he made the pass for [Divock Origi's] goal. He had a really, really good game; really good for us and he was not happy when I took him off.
"I like his desire but I thought in this game it makes sense that when you've already lost one offensive player, you save another one a little bit."
Coutinho's goal was his seventh in the Premier League this season, just one short of his career-best tally from last term.
No Data Analysis info
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic