“Great player”: £16m Everton man praises “tough” Liverpool star

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Everton defender Nathan Patterson has been speaking about Liverpool star Luis Diaz after the pair went up against each other in the Merseyside derby.

What’s the story?

Well, the £16m Everton man is currently away on international duty with Scotland, where he was jokingly asked if the Colombia international was still in his pocket yet by James McFadden.

Patterson coped well with the threat of Diaz, helping the Toffees keep a clean sheet against the Reds by making five successful tackles, one clearance and one interception – according to WhoScored.

In professional style, the Scotland international laughed off McFadden’s question, and went on to praise the South American winger.

Patterson said: “Aye, probably somewhere (still in his pocket). To be fair, it was a great game and he was a tough opponent. He’s a great player, playing for a great club and it’s a challenge for me to show what I can do and nullify their threats. I felt like I did that.”

Diaz most certainly is a “great player” as the Everton No.3 puts it, although there is no denying that he struggled significantly in the Merseyside derby.

The Liverpool No.23 – famed for his direct dribbling – actually failed to record a successful dribble up against Patterson at Goodison Park.

Diaz also had four unsuccessful touches and was dispossessed twice as Patterson made life hard for him.

Everton 0-0 Liverpool showed Luis Diaz weakness

Make no mistake about it, Diaz is a phenomenon, and has arguably been Liverpool’s best player this season.

However, there is one thing we think he lacks at times, and that is a true striker’s positional sense.

Of course, this can come with age for traditional wingers like it did with Sadio Mane, leading to Jürgen Klopp placing him in a central role last season.

At times, we feel Diaz can almost be too hyped up for a game, and his only thought is to run at his opponent.

If he can develop more of a predatory sense and pop up with poacher’s finishes inside the box more often, while also making runs inside his opposing full-back, the Colombian will become even more dangerous for Liverpool.