Match report: Reds see off Derby to progress in EFL Cup

Ragnar Klavan opened the scoring midway through the first half, reacting smartly to scoop Philippe Coutinho’s corner over the line from the edge of the six-yard box.

Coutinho then extended the Reds’ lead shortly after the break when the Brazilian stabbed in from Roberto Firmino’s pass, before he supplied Divock Origi to hammer in the third on 54 minutes and wrap up another good night’s work for Jürgen Klopp’s men.

The key points…

• Klavan’s first goal for the club broke the deadlock on 24 minutes.
• Coutinho added second with neat finish just after half-time before Origi netted with powerful finish.
• Reds move into Wednesday night’s fourth-round draw.

The team news…

Loris Karius and Marko Grujic were handed their first competitive starts for Liverpool as Klopp elected to make a total of seven changes from the side deployed at Chelsea on Friday night.

There was also a berth for the fit-again Firmino, who overcame the groin issue that ruled him out at Stamford Bridge, while Emre Can was named among the substitutes.

The first half…

Liverpool kicked off the contest at the iPro Stadium – and immediately put their hosts under pressure as they set about looking to strike an early blow to Derby’s upset ambitions.

First, Alberto Moreno had a driven low cross deflected inches wide of the far post by Richard Keogh before Firmino thumped an effort over the bar from the edge of the area in an assertive opening.

However, goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell had remained largely untested – until he was required to pick the ball out the back of the net on 24 minutes with the Reds’ first attempt on target.

Coutinho’s corner from the left found its way through a crowd of bodies in the area to Klavan, who hooked home from six yards out.

That advantage was nearly extended just moments after the opener when Origi twisted and turned inside the area before having a near-post blast repelled by Mitchell.

Joel Matip then looped a header off target and Coutinho had a free-kick from distance touched over the crossbar as the Reds’ dominance showed no signs of letting up.

That said, in first-half stoppage-time, the visitors had Karius to thank for ensuring their lead remained intact going into the break as the debutant rushed from his line to prevent Darren Bent going clean through on goal after Liverpool had conceded possession inside their own half.

The second half…

The interval had no impact on the game’s pattern of play as the Reds increased their stronghold on the contest just five minutes after the re-start courtesy of a sublime goal from Coutinho.

Collecting the ball just in front of the centre circle inside the Derby half, he played the ball forward into Firmino before setting off on a dart into the box.

Origi’s divert to the left opened up space for Firmino to slide it into the path of Coutinho, who slipped it into the bottom corner in an instant.

And it was to get even better on 54 minutes when Coutinho turned provider, threading through for Origi to latch onto a ball into the right channel of the area and whack into the roof of the net from an angle.

With a healthy lead secured, Klopp opted to introduce Can into the action after his injury absence, with Jordan Henderson making way for the German before Danny Ings took Coutinho’s place.

And with time ticking away, Ovie Ejaria was brought on for a first senior appearance, replacing Firmino, on a satisfying night for Liverpool, who take a spot in Wednesday’s draw for the next stage of the competition.

The stats...