Liverpool have their own ‘Diego Costa,’ who can help Jürgen Klopp bring in new elements.

The big talking point for Liverpool following the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace was that the Reds have a ‘Diego Costa’ side, which has often been lacking for Jürgen Klopp.

Darwin Nez endured one of those frustrating nights as a centre-forward when a defender simply cannot get enough of him, from taunts to small shoves and pushes.

Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen teased Liverpool’s potentially record signing with the dark arts that defenders learn early in their careers.

In this case, Andersen’s deft technique paid off, with Nez launching into a petulant headbutt that sent the former Lyon player crashing to the ground.

Nez should have known better, and the red card was unavoidable, leaving Liverpool in a vulnerable position and lacking in attacking numbers.

But, in retrospect, that moment may not have been entirely negative for Liverpool. After all, Nez will learn from his mistake and realize he needs to be more toned down and mellow on the pitch. He simply cannot react in the same crude and rash manner as he did against Andersen.

But there was also something admirable about his determination to fight back and not be bullied. Liverpool’s locker room is devoid of such characters. The Reds consistently top the fair play charts and rarely get into scuffles or cause tension on the field.

Jürgen Klopp’s team has been accused of being too nice at times, and perhaps Liverpool lacked a stronger, more spirited character like Nez’s, especially against opposition like Atlético Madrid or José Mourinho, and now possibly Tottenham’s Antonio Conte, who simply know how to get under Liverpool’s skin.

A more subdued version of Nez, but with the same bullish attitude and refusal to cower, could provide Liverpool with a new element that will aid them in mental battles with opposing teams, and who will fight for the cause if necessary.

Liverpool have always had tooth-and-nail characters like Steven Gerrard or Luis Suárez; passion like that is important in the game, and Anfield has always revered those characters. Nez could turn out to be another hothead, which Liverpool would have known about before bringing him in.

In an interview with Liverpool.com, his former fitness coach at Almeria, Javier Angejo Duran, compared him to Diego Costa and admitted he saw him as an ideal player for Atletico Madrid because of his style of play and fiery attitude.

“I thought he’d be a good fit for Atlético Madrid when I was watching him play because he’s much better than [Alvaro] Morata,” Duran said. “He’s also quick, and I was thinking that he’s a fighter in duels and so on, similar to Diego Costa.”

Instead of Simeone, Klopp will be tasked with taming the beast he has brought to Anfield, but he will not want to tame him too much. A few of his rough edges could be advantageous to Liverpool, bringing a new character and element to the club.