While Diouf's inclusion alongside fellow Anfield squad members Stephane Henchoz, Djimi Traore and Bruno Cheyrou was a huge surprise to many, McAuley insists that the 22-year-old will reap the rewards of his temporary drop into reserve team football.
McAuley said: "Dioufy scored a well taken goal and was unlucky not to get one or two more.
"Sometimes he takes one or two touches more than we would like at times but that's Dioufy. We give him that as Dioufy is always likely to create something for you.
"Dioufy needed the 90 minutes and that will have done him good, as Djimi Traore and Bruno Cheyrou also played the full match."