Liverpool v Derby County – Match Preview

Jurgen Klopp and his troops host EFL League One’s Derby County tomorrow evening in the third round of the EFL Cup. This will be the penultimate game across all the competitions before the enforced, unprecedented mid-season break due to upcoming World Cup.

Overview

A massive victory over an in-form Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend surely buoyed the Reds and gave them an incentive for the remaining two matches. Mohamed Salah was relentless and punished any mistakes calmly. What did Erick Dier think when he tried to back-head the long ball to Hugo Lloris is anyone’s guess. The Egypt international was clinical.

Liverpool turn their attention to League Cup contention. They are the current holders, who beat Chelsea on penalties in the 2022 final to claim their ninth trophy. On Wednesday, there will be no room for a banana skin against Paul Warne’s outfit.

These days, life is difficult for the Rams both on-the-field and off-the-field. Not that long ago, they were placed into administration by former owner Mel Morris and received a penalty of 21 points deduction. Less than a year later, a devoted and a lifelong supporter David Clowes took them out of the administration thanks to a takeover. Now, the main purpose for the team from Pride Park Stadium is stability.

As it stands, Derby County sit seventh in the League One table, while Liverpool are one place behind in the Premier League.

Head to Head

Liverpool boast an impressive history record of this fixture. In all 135 meetings, the Reds have registered 71 victories, while Derby have claimed just 35 wins. Above and beyond, the two sides have shared the spoils on 29 occasions.

The Reds have been unbeaten at Anfield in their last five matches. The very last time, they gave away all three points at their home ground to Derby was November 7, 1998.

Team News

Pep Ljinders has deputised for Jürgen Klopp for Wednesday’s press conference duty at the AXA Training Centre and provided an update regarding the fitness of players.

Luis Diaz will proceed to the first running session on Thursday, therefore we can expect him being involved for team selection after the World Cup. Diogo Jota and Arthur Melo are Liverpool’s long-term absentees. Joel Matip is set to return to the competitive football after the enforced Qatar’s break.

This encounter will come too soon for James Milner and Naby Keita. The former is out following a concussion, the latter is still training individually.

Derby County, meanwhile, don’t have many woes. Anang has been ruled out to due injury.

Summary

Liverpool will avail of an opportunity to rotate their resources. Young academy players and senior ones with limited playing time are set to be handed some minutes during the upcoming fixture.

Derby travel to Merseyside in not the best mood. At the weekend, they had been winning with a two-goal cushion against Torquay to end up with just with one point. Additionally their squad was depleted to 11 man when Eiran Cashin was given a red card.

I expect the Reds to sail through to the next round and get a comfortable win. I’m predicting 2-0 victory.