It's the third round of the League Cup tonight - the round that traditionally Liverpool normally begin in the competition. But the failure to qualify for Europe means this is our second game after a comprehensive 5-0 win against Burton Albion in the last round.
The reds are currently 6th in the Premier League, whilst Derby are 5th from bottom in the Championship (three places below our previous opponents Burton).
Despite their poor start (1 win, 3 draws from 8) they have only conceded 7 goals in those 8 matches. Their problems have been scoring - only 2 goals in 8 games.
Follow the game live with us here.
As it happened...
This is the Rams 9th consecutive season in the Championship after Premier League relegation.
Their manager Nigel Pearson is trying to build them in the image of former club Leicester - the more direct route to goal may be used on more than one occasion tonight.
They lost 1-0 away at Burton just days after the reds beat Burton 5-0 in the cup.
Their route to this 3rd round involved beating Grimsby (League 2) at home 1-0 before requiring a long penalty session to beat League Two Carlisle 14-13 on spot kicks at home.
Derby famously managed by Brian Clough
It was 12 years ago today that Brian Clough passed away. Gone but not forgotten. #dcfcfans pic.twitter.com/APV8ENP4bB
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) September 20, 2016
Loris Karius makes his competitive debut for Liverpool Football Club in a strong looking LFC line up
Starting XI: Karius, Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Moreno, Lucas, Grujic, Henderson, Coutinho, Firmino, Origi.
Subs: Mignolet, Lovren, Milner, Can, Ejaria, Mane, Ings.
Liverpool's players arriving at Pride Park a short while ago
IMAGES: Tonight's opponents @LFC have arrived ahead of this evening's @EFLCup tie at the #iProStadium ???? #dcfcfans #DCFCvLFC pic.twitter.com/QZkv6DMM1k
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) September 20, 2016
Here's tonight's opponents:
Team: Mitchell, Christie, Keogh (C), Bent, Baird, Johnson, Pearce, Butterfield, Hughes, Weimann, Olsson
Subs: Weale, Ince, Camara, Blackman, Lowe, Elsnik, Rawson
Loris Karius' former club Mainz wish the player well on his LFC debut
.@LFC Good luck to former #Zerofiver @LorisKarius on your #LFC debut! #Mainz05 #DCFCvLFC
— 1. FSV Mainz 05 (@Mainz05en) September 20, 2016
Bournemouth v Preston
Brighton v Reading
Everton v Norwich
Leeds v Blackburn
Leicester v Chelsea
Newcastle v Wolves
Nottm Forest v Arsenal
Underway! Come on Liverpool!
Five man defence for Derby - sitting very deep. Henderson gets a shot away but puts it over the crossbar.
Firmino shot from just under 25 yards out - goes just over the bar. Dominant start from Liverpool in these opening 10 minutes. Remains 0-0.
Derby get a free kick, it's sent to the back post but the header is fired into the ground and Karius collects.
Henderson down for treatment - think he took some studs to the legs. Should be okay to continue but Klopp is looking on. Can warming up just in case.
Coutinho fires in the corner - it sails through the defence and Ragnar Klavan is there to put it away with his left foot.
1-0 to Liverpool after 24 minutes.
Origi shoots - Saved by the keeper - Liverpool looking to try and finish this by half time.
Lucas hooks away a free kick from Derby - they dummied the initial run up for the kick which almost tricked the reds defensive line.
At the other end Firmino has a chance to make it 2-0.
Coutinho and Firmino both having plenty of chances now. The Derby keeper is ending this half in a very busy fashion.
Liverpool leading 1-0 but in all honesty they should have finished this game off by now.
Karius called into action after Henderson makes a mistake at the end of the half.
It's Derby 0-1 Liverpool.
Leicester leading Chelsea 2-1 at home, whilst Steven Naismith has scored for Norwich away at Everton - the Canaries lead 1-0 at half time.
Arsenal 1-0 up away at Forest.
Second half underway. Former red youth player Tom Ince is on for Derby - looks like he is marking Moreno.
Coutinho with a lovely finish in the 50th minute. Liverpool starting to make this scoreline look a bit more reflective of the game.
Reds with a beautiful move - one touch passing. Smashes it into the net.
Liverpool have finished this game off in the first 9 minutes of the second half.
Emre Can returns to the Liverpool team - replaces Jordan Henderson.
Origi's goal
Origi goal #LFC https://t.co/k60W3BaOrp
— MartinLFC (@Mugtugiavasko) September 20, 2016
Danny Ings comes on for Philippe Coutinho. 25 minutes left and Liverpool leading 3-0 away at Derby.
Moreno powers towards goal but shoots wide - shot was about 20 yards out.
Marko Grujic joins Alberto Moreno as the two LFC players with yellow cards tonight. 3-0 with a bit over 10 minutes left.
Ovie Ejaria makes his LFC debut as he comes on for Roberto Firmino.
Into injury time. The reds fans think this game is won so start singing Jurgen Klopp's name...
Derby County 0-3 Liverpool
Comprehensive display from Liverpool - goals from Klavan, Coutinho and Origi. Clean sheet on Karius debut and a debut from the bench for Ovie Ejaria.
Into the 4th round.
Thanks for following our live updates.
A good night for Liverpool who move a small step closer to a possible trip to Wembley.
Next up for the reds is a visit from Hull in the Premier League this Saturday afternoon.
