Caoimhin Kelleher was the hero in the penalty shootout to help Liverpoo produce one of the narrow football scores of the midweek action in the Carabao Cup. Paul Warne’s League One opponents held firm against a significantly altered Liverpool squad, with Jurgen Klopp making 11 changes, as normal time at Anfield ended goalless. Normal-time heroics from Derby goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith were required, and a stop from Liverpool teenager Stefan Bajcetic in the shootout appeared to be giving the Rams the win. Despite Roberto Firimino missed his penalty for Liverpool, Kelleher made three excellent stops from Conor Hourihane, Craig Forsyth, and Everton loanee Lewis Dobbin, allowing Harvey Elliott to score the game-winning kick.
When Liverpool entered Derby’s half, they dropped into a back five, sometimes six, making it difficult for the inexperienced midfield and forward line to find a solution. Derby, who were 46 places below their hosts, knew their best chance was to frustrate and hope to seize an opportunity when it presented itself. Actually, until the three senior players came off the bench with 25 minutes remaining, Liverpool appeared to be treading water. Half-chances came and went as Stewart cut over in front of goal from Fabio Carvalho’s cross, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain volleyed just over after Craig Forsyth only partially cleared a corner with his head, and Kostas Tsimikas clutched at a shot after goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith flapped at a cross.
The fact that players like Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had played just 15 minutes of football before to this game, did not have enough influence in the middle of the field, was more of a squandered opportunity. Despite Oxlade-deflected Chamberlain’s shot and Carvalho’s forced saves from Wildsmith early in the second half and Derby captain Max Bird dragging wide their greatest opportunity, Klopp opted for his big guns with 25 minutes remaining. The level of difficulty and quality was instantly raised, and Liverpool’s right flank gained some directness with the debut of winger Ben Doak, who was only two days shy of his 17th birthday.
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