Liverpool beat Derby County last night after a penalty shoot-out. The Reds earned praise for a gesture at the final whistle.
Liverpool didn’t have everything go to plan against Derby. They struggled to create chances and only really dominated once Harvey Elliott, Roberto Firmino and Darwin Nunez entered the fray (although, maybe Ben Doak upstaged them all).
The game ended 0-0 as the Reds toiled for chances. To penalties they went, then, and even the coin toss went against them. Derby not only went first but got to take them in front of their travelling support.
Liverpool then had a legitimate grievance as Joe Wildsmith was three miles off his line when saving Stefan Bajcetic. He only got a talking-to, however – and a second one after he came off his line as Roberto Firmino fired over.
Luckily, Caoimhín Kelleher saved the day. The Irishman saved three penalties to hand Liverpool the initiative and Elliott fired home to put the Reds through.
Liverpool praised for gesture after they beat Derby
Liverpool appear to have fully acknowledged the fight Derby put up here, too. They defended solidly and kept the Reds out – and maybe had a chance or two to knick it themselves.
Stephen Warnock, watching for the BBC, spotted Liverpool’s senior players and staff heading straight over to the Derby players at the final whistle. They showed appreciation for what they were up against.
“Brilliant from the senior Liverpool players, appreciating the Derby players and what they’ve done tonight,” said Warnock. “They’ve gone straight to applaud them, the Liverpool staff have all done the same.
“They realise they’ve been up a really tough team tonight.”
Credit to Liverpool for that. Derby played very well here, drastically limiting the hosts’ chances, even when under real pressure.
The Reds only got away with it in the end, truth be told. Kelleher proved the difference – and we didn’t expect to be saying that before the game.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
