Liverpool begin the defence of their EFL Cup crown with the visit of Derby County to Anfield on Wednesday evening for the third round.

Jurgen Klopp's men beat Chelsea on penalties in the final of the 2021-22 tournament to win the trophy for the ninth time before also overcoming the Blues on spot kicks in the FA Cup final.

The Reds ended a two-game winless run in the Premier League with a 2-1 success at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah at the double before Harry Kane's consolation.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the showdown with the Rams, who have beaten Mansfield Town and West Bromwich Albion to make it this far.

Luis Diaz

Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: December 26 (vs. Aston Villa)

Luis Diaz remains on the sidelines with the severe knee injury he sustained in the defeat to Arsenal last month and is not expected to return for Liverpool before the World Cup.

Joel Matip

Status: Out
Type of injury: Calf
Possible return date: November 12 (vs. Southampton)

Joel Matip was not quite ready to return from his calf injury against Tottenham and is not expected to come back on Wednesday, but there is a chance that he could be in contention for the weekend's showdown with Southampton before the World Cup break.

Naby Keita

Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: November 12 (vs. Southampton)

Naby Keita has enjoyed a few training sessions with Liverpool as he battles a thigh injury, but the Guinea midfielder still needs time to get up to speed with his teammates and is pushing for a return against Southampton this weekend.

Arthur

Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: Unknown

Arthur is recovering from the operation on his thigh he underwent back in October, and the Juventus loanee is targeting a return in the New Year.

Diogo Jota

Status: Out
Type of injury: Calf
Possible return date: Unknown

Diogo Jota went off on a stretcher in last month's win over Manchester City with a serious calf injury, and Klopp has admitted that the Portugal international will take "months" to recuperate.

James Milner

Status: Out
Type of injury: Head
Possible return date: November 12 (vs. Southampton)

James Milner went off with a head injury in the recent Champions League win over Napoli and could not face Tottenham due to concussion protocol, but the veteran midfielder could be back for the clash with Southampton this weekend.

LIVERPOOL'S SUSPENSION LIST

Liverpool have no players suspended for this match.