Steve Bruce has explained Joe Willock was "devastated" to have been reduced to the role of super sub.
The midfielder grabbed a dramatic 95th-minute equaliser against Liverpool to earn a 2-2 draw at Anfield but now faces further frustration as he can't play against his parent club Arsenal next weekend due to loan rules.
Bruce was delighted to see Willock score so late in the game, and just seconds after Callum Wilson's strike had been chalked off by VAR.
Bruce said: "I think he will hate the super sub tag because yesterday I devastated him by not putting him in the team.
"I told him the reasons why, then he picks up a knock in training and it was touch and go whether he makes the bench, so to come on and have that impact again, I'm delighted for him.
"To get three in three, I'm delighted."
Bruce was pleased with his side's overall performance on Merseyside and added: "I always thought we were a threat and in the first half we had some really good opportunities but missed the pass - a number of times we didn't take the right option.
"But when you've got Callum and Allan and Almiron on the pitch you know you've got a chance, although I didn't think we would score twice in the last minute which was incredible - because the first one probably shouldn't have been chalked off."
