Michael
The EFL cup holders Liverpool faced League One side Derby County at Anfield in the third round of the EFL Cup.
There were no surprises when the team sheets were revealed which showed Liverpool making a full team change from their 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The youngsters given a chance to show their quality.
Caoimhin Kelleher returned in goal for the Reds in place for Alisson – and would prove to be the hero towards the latter stages of the game.
The back four was Calvin Ramsay, Nat Phillips, Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas. Stefan Bajetic was partnered with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Bobby Clark in midfield. The front line was Melkamu Frauendorf, Layton Stewart and Fabio Carvalho.
Liverpool dominated possession, but struggled for chances and often seemed wasteful when they did have the ball. The best moment of the first half for the Reds was when Carvalho found Stewart in the box – but the young striker blazed the ball over the crossbar.
Klopp introduced the big guns midway through the second half; bringing on Roberto Firmino, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez entering the fray. It would be Elliott to have a magnificent chance to score the winner late on – but he wasn’t able to connect with the ball clean enough and it was saved by Derby County goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith.
That would be that it ended 0-0. Penalties would decide which team was going through to the fourth round of the EFL Cup. They were taken at the away end side in front of the travelling Derby supporters.
Destiny would have it be Harvey Elliott step up to send Liverpool through to the fourth round – which he did with confidence and ease. The Reds win 3-2 on penalties. Another superb perfroamnce by Liverpool’s number 2 keeper Kelleher, saving 3 of Derby’s penalties.
Jurgen Klopp has previously described Kelleher as the best back-up goalkeeper in world football and he certainly reaffirmed that statement.
Kelleher has now saved more penalties (six) in shootouts than any other keeper in the club’s illustrious history.
HIGHLIGHTS: Liverpool 0-0 Derby (3-2 on pens)
