Liverpool needed a penalty shootout after the League One side drew 0-0 in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Anfield after 90 minutes on Wednesday night.
Jurgen Klopp rotated his usual Reds line-up heavily, bringing youngsters like Stefan Bajsic, Bobby Clarke and Malkamo Frauendorf into the starting XI.
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was the hero of the night, making three saves in the shootout as the hosts won 3-2 to book their place in the next round.
Frustratingly for Klopp, the derby was fairly relaxed until half-time, even without the ball for large periods of the opening 45 minutes as Liverpool failed to create an opening.
Both sides had chances in the second half, with Max Bird coming close to shocking Derby just after the break and Rams goalkeeper Joseph Wildsmith reacting quickly to keep out a deflected goal from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. There was a need.
Wildsmith also saved from Harvey Elliott late on, while Derby’s Lewis Dobbin also had a chance in the closing stages but was powerless to beat Kelleher.
With no winners in regulation 90 minutes, Kelleher saved from Conor Hourihane, Craig Forsyth and the aforementioned Dobbin. Bajcetic saw Liverpool’s first penalty saved by Wildsmith, after Roberto Firmino blocked his effort.
But Oxlade-Chamberlain and Darwin Nunez both converted, and Elliott won it.
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher (9) the Lord: Calvin Ramsey (7), before Christ: Nate Phillips (8) before Christ: Joe Gomez (8), LB: Kostas Samikas (7), cm: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (7), cm: Bobby Clarke (6), cm: Stefan Bajsetic (7), RW: Malcomo Fraundorff (6), ST: Leighton Stewart (6) LW: Fabio Carvalho (6)
Vegetables: Darwin Nunez (6), Roberto Firmino (6), Harvey Elliott (7), Ben Duke (6)
GK: Joseph Wildsmith (9) the Lord: Corey Smith (7), before Christ: Iran Kashin (8) before Christ: Craig Forsyth (8), LB: Hayden Roberts (7), RM: Nathaniel Mendez Lang (7), cm: Max Bird (7), cm: Conor Hourihane (7), LM: Louie Sibley (7), ST: James Collins (6) ST: William Osula (6)
Vegetables: David McGoldrick (6), Lewis Dobbin (6), Liam Thompson (7), Jason Knight (N/A), Jack Rooney (N/A)
Man of the Match – Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool)