CUP football is next on the menu for Jürgen’s Reds, as they travel to Derby County on Tuesday night in the third round of the League Cup.

The trip to the Midlands come fresh off the back of a glorious weekend that started with Liverpool beating Chelsea in their own backyard and finished, near enough, with the Mancs getting smacked by Watford. Always funny watching Shitcoat lose his head.

Klopp On Matip

There’s a lot of love for Joel Matip, at the moment. Rightly so, he’s looked boss so far. Jürgen Klopp has been getting in on the action, too, talking to the press at Melwood today.

He said: “If you had worked or lived in Germany you would have known much more about him. He was involved in one of the top teams in Germany for six years. He played in every kind of tournament. It was pretty clear it would make sense to sign him if he was interested.”

Klopp added: “There were never any doubts over his quality. It was clear that when he felt good he would really be able to help us. We’ve had some problems with injuries in the centre-back positions so it’s been really important that Joel could start.”

Is right, the lads. Keep it up, Joel.

Reds In It To Win It

Klopp was also talking up Liverpool’s ambitions in the League Cup this season, insisting that the Reds are looking to go all the way.

He said: “We are really ambitious in all competitions. Derby will be a real challenge. It’s about using the moment. Having a good squad with a very good working attitude and big skills.

“We want to win this tournament and to do that we need to take the next step, do it.”

Go ‘ed, Kloppo. Into these.

Derby Team News

This might be of interest to some. It’s been revealed today that the Reds upcoming opponents, who have won just one of their eight league games this season, are facing a few injury problems, and have a couple of cup-tied players ahead of the visit of Liverpool.

Jason Shackell and Johnny Russell are not expected to feature, having failed to regain fitness in time, after missing their last game due to calf injuries. They will also be without Ikechi Anya and Matej Vydra, who are cup-tied, while striker James Wilson, on loan from Manchester United, is a doubt.

Good news for us, like.

Hendo Stats

Jordan Henderson is another player being praised after the Reds’ 2-1 win over Chelsea, in which he scored a definite goal of the month contender (winner) and enjoyed an all round good night.

That performance caps what has been a great start to the season from the captain and he’ll definitely be looking to continue to improve over the course of the season, as he continues to thrive in his new position.

https://twitter.com/TheAnfieldWrap/status/777892542390136832

Today’s Pieces

Some good pre-Derby words on the site today. Firstly, Ben Johnson’s column, in which he talks about Klopp, Henderson and what it means to be a leader. Read that here.

Then, Gibbo has done his home and away feature on his trip to Stamford Bridge, featuring first class seats on trains and Lebanese karaoke. Read it here.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game, Gutmann has penned his match preview, which you can read here, while I spoke to Owen Bradley from BBC Radio Derby to get the lowdown on Derby County, read that here.

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