KELLE ON THE SPOT FOR REDS

Kop keeper’s hat-trick of penalty saves

CAOIMHIN KELLEHER – who scored the winning penalty in the final against Chelsea last season – ensured Liverpool’s Carabao Cup defence did not fall at the first hurdle with three saves in the shootout.

Harvey Elliott put the Reds in the fourth round as the home side won 3-2 from the spot.

But it was Liverpool’s back-up keeper who was the hero denying Derby’s Conor Hourihane, Craig Forsyth and Lewis Dobbin (below) from 12 yards.

Jurgen Klopp fielded an inexperienced line-up against the Rams as he looked to book a place in round four of the competition which brought silverware last season.

Five were making their first starts for the club – right-back Calvin Ramsay, midfielders Bobby Clark and Stefan Bajcetic, and forwards Melkamu Frauendorf and Layton Stewart.

It was understandable perhaps with Derby not in the best of form, with just two wins in their last nine in all competitions, and having drawn with National League strugglers Torquay in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Things did not quite pan out as hoped, though, with the Rams reaching halftime level after a turgid first half low on quality and chances.

Klopp’s side posed the greater threat but could not quite find their range with Alex Oxlade-chamberlain and Kostas Tsimikas volleying wide, and Stewart finishing a one-two with

Fabio Carvalho with a lofted effort which sailed over.

The second half started in a more lively fashion, Max Bird pulling a shot just wide after a fortunate rebound off Nathaniel Phillips gave him a second stab.

Liverpool then forced two saves from Derby goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, first from Oxlade-chamberlain and then Carvalho.

Frauendorf had a decent chance, the 18-year-old German heading Kostas Tsimikas’s cross back across goal when, as narrow as the angle was, he might have had a go himself.

It was better from Liverpool but Klopp still introduced big guns Darwin Nunez, Roberto Firmino and Elliott on the hour mark in an effort to break the deadlock.

The changes almost paid immediate dividends, Firmino trying to poke a bouncing ball past Wildsmith only to be denied by his shoulder.

Elliott looked the most likely to break the deadlock, playing the quarterback role on the edge of the area to good effect.

And it was the midfielder who had the best chance with 10 minutes to go, first feeding Oxlade-chamberlain before getting on the end of a superb return cross.

Much to his frustration, Elliott’s finish was halfhearted, a poked effort smothered almost at source by Wildsmith.

Both David Mcgoldrick and Nunez had chances to head home on 86 minutes as the play stretched, both failing to find the net as the match drifted towards the penalty shootout.