Derby 0 Liverpool 3: Reds run riot at iPRO as Jurgen Klopp’s side ease into the EFL Cup last-16
Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi among the scorers as visitors continue flying form against Championship side
LIVERPOOL ran riot at the iPRO to ease into the last-16 of the EFL Cup.
Jurgen Klopp made seven changes from the side that beat Chelsea 2-1 last Friday with keeper Loris Karius making his Reds debut.
But the German stopper was nothing more than a spectator as fellow new-boy Ragnar Klavan, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi comfortably downed the Rams.
Klavan - who joined from FC Augsburg in the summer - made the most of some dodgy Derby defending to fire in Coutinho's corner for his first Liverpool goal.
The Brazilian completed a smart to make it two after the break before setting up Origi to blaze past Jonathan Mitchell and put the Reds out of sight just four minutes later.
Nigel Pearson's side are now without a win since beating Carlisle on penalties in the previous round.
Facts, stats, goals and lols
- THIS competition is turning into a benefit for East Midlands-based Liverpool fans – both ties within a ten-mile radius.
- DERBY are hardly tearing up trees in the Championship, but would stroll the award for the country’s quietest pre-match music.
- MARKO GRUJIC is only five months out of his teens, but the Serbian is a real man mountain. He won’t lose many 50-50s!
- A FIRST glimpse of the Reds’ long-term No 1 Loris Karius – and an impressive start by the young German.
- SUBLIME vs Ridiculous. Liverpool had 12 goals in five away games this term; Derby had two at home.
- DARREN BENT was never going to eclipse his greatest claim to fame against Liverpool – scorer of the famous beachball goal for Sunderland.
- LIVERPOOL can be a formidable passing outfit, sometimes stringing 20-plus together without Derby getting a sniff.
- RAGNAR KLAVAN managed just four goals in 134 games for Augsburg. He got off the mark for Liverpool in only his third.
- ALBERTO MORENO'S bright blond new look means his hairstyle is now as shocking as some of his performances.
- DIVOCK ORIGI loves the League Cup. Four in five before this – a haul he improved thanks to Derby’s dismal defending.
Dream Team ratings
LIVERPOOL: Karius 6, Clyne 6, Matip 6, Klavan 7, Moreno 6, Lucas 6, Grujic 5, Henderson 6 (Can 57, 6), Firmino 6 (Ejaria 78, 6), Origi 7, Coutinho 8 (Ings 63, 5)
Subs not used: Mignolet, Lovren, Mane, Milner
Goals: Klavan, Coutinho, Origi
Booked: Moreno, Grujic