Liverpool had a simple evening as the Reds showed their class in a game that they won 3-0 against Derby Couty for the League Cup.
Philippe Coutinho and, increasingly, Roberto Firmino made the deepest impression as the Brazilian duo dissected the Championship team in a commanding second half display illuminated by fine goals from Coutinho and Divock Origi.
“Could we have done better? Yes. Is that important? No,” said Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool manager.
“You need to be 100% professional and serious in games like this, which can be difficult. The opponent was ready for each opportunity but we didn’t give them any.
In the first half we could have been better with the last pass and in the second we could have been better with the counter attack but we scored the goals.
This is a very important tournament for us, not only because I say it but for the players too and we have to show it is important from the first second. It is important so let’s go for it.”
Klopp’s team toyed with the lowest scoring team in English league football and added a third shortly afterwards. Firmino was involved in the build-up but it was Coutinho who this time delivered the defence-piercing pass, flicking the ball into space on the right for Origi to finish emphatically into the roof of the net.
Coutinho created another clear opening for Firmino but Mitchell denied the former Hoffenheim forward at close range before Derby’s tormentor-in-chief was withdrawn to a standing ovation from the travelling section.
“We were beaten by a very good side,” admitted Derby manager. “The gulf between the two sides at the moment is too big for us. At 3-0 down after an hour it can be very difficult but we continued to work extremely hard. There is a big gulf between where we aspire to be and where we are at present. When you are on the end of a defeat like this there has to be some honesty about it. We were well beaten by the better team and we made mistakes that cost us quite dear.”
“The gulf between the two sides at the moment is too big for us. At 3-0 down after an hour it can be very difficult but we continued to work extremely hard.
There is a big gulf between where we aspire to be and where we are at present. When you are on the end of a defeat like this there has to be some honesty about it. We were well beaten by the better team and we made mistakes that cost us quite dear.”