Liverpool needed Darwin Núñez after odd Derby referee moment as Fábio Carvalho anger justified

The Good, Bad and Ugly: Liverpool overcame difficulties to beat Derby on penalties. Fábio Carvalho started in a young side, with Darwin Núñez off the bench.

Liverpool ultimately overcame Derby County, relying on the heroics of Caoimhín Kelleher to advance in the League Cup. It went to the wire, but their chances of retaining their title remain intact.

Jürgen Klopp can just about say that his mass changes were justified. Fábio Carvalho was one of the more experienced members of the starting XI, such was the scale of the rotation, but a generally impressive crop of youngsters managed to outplay Derby for 90 minutes, even if a breakthrough proved elusive.

The introduction of Darwin Núñez, Roberto Firmino and Harvey Elliott could not quite break the deadlock in normal time, although two of the three scored their penalties. Kelleher sealed the deal by saving three spot kicks — despite seemingly facing something of a handicap.