A goalkeeper debut, a defender’s possible last chance at redemption and tributes to a true Derby County legend provides a subtext to this EFL Cup tie.
Derby County manager Nigel Pearson
Derby County welcome Liverpool to the iPro Stadium in the third round of the EFL Cup at a point that finds both teams in contrasting fortunes of form.
Liverpool, fresh from a demolishing of champions Leicester City in front of their newly build Main Stand, followed by last week’s convincing outcome at Chelsea, arrive in Derby on a high.
Conversely, Derby are a team in free-fall – having not won in their previous five matches and only experienced victory in the Championship on one occasion so far this season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
In a similar manner to Liverpool’s 5-0 away victory over Burton Albion in round two, manager Jurgen Klopp is expected to name another strong line-up for tonight’s encounter – which could include the return of midfielder Emre Can for the first time since the Germany international was taken injured during the aforementioned tie at Burton.
According to ITV, Klopp has revealed, “You can be sure we will find a strong line-up again for this game…It is not about resting 100 per cent fit players”.
Burton Albion’s Jackson Irvine in action with Liverpool’s Emre Can in the previous round
With this in mind, here are the things to watch ahead of this evening’s contest…
A Liverpool debut for Loris Karius
The signing of goalkeeper Loris Karius was suppose to signal the end of Simon Mignolet’s possession of the gloves at Anfield. An injury in pre-season led to Karius spending time on the side-lines and enabled Mignolet to claim the coveted ‘number 1’ jersey. However, with Karius fully recovered and expected to start this evening, could this be the final displacement of the much-maligned Belgian stopper?
Is Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno on borrowed time?
Alberto Moreno’s last chance?
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has recently added to the ever-increasing feeling that Alberto Moreno will not have a future at Anfield. The Spanish left-back has shown glimpses of his pace and attributes going forward but is often found to be wanting defensively – with Moreno’s positional sense the biggest criticism. This EFL Cup tie could be Liverpool’s number 18’s last chance for redemption, as time is running out to impress manager Klopp and win over the Kopites.
Derby’s tribute to Gordon Guthrie
Finally, tonight’s game comes the day after Derby County legend Gordon Guthrie died, aged 86.
Guthrie spent 60-years at Derby, as a player, coach and kit manager. He was awarded an MBE in 2009 in recognition of his services to football, which included working for Derby alongside more than a dozen managers, including Brian Clough – who passed away twelve years ago today.
Guthrie’s name will always be remembered fondly by Derby fans and he was held in such high regard by the club that they named the south-west corner of the iPro Stadium, The Gordon Guthrie Stand.
There will be a minute’s silence in memory of Guthie before tonight’s fixture.
Derby County fans will pay tribute to Gordon Guthrie tonight
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