Derby County’s Under 23s held high-flying Liverpool to a hard-fought 0-0 draw on Monday night in what marked as their second Premier League 2 outing at Pride Park Stadium.

In a game of few chances, either side could have claimed all three points in the end – however, a stand out performance from Jonathan Mitchell, who made three fine saves, saw Darren Wassall’s side secure a deserved point.A trio of Marcus Olsson, Craig Bryson and Abdoul Camara all featured for Derby in a bid to get minutes under their belt ahead of the Sky Bet Championship fixture against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.Looking back on the contest, which was staged under the beaming floodlights of Pride Park Stadium, it was Liverpool who began proceedings well, dominating the ball from very early on and looking to get forward at every opportunity.Despite clear pressing from the Merseyside outfit, Derby carved out the game's first opportunity after Camara found space on the right wing to deliver a curled effort from outside the box, which was only inches off-target.Liverpool sprung to life very quickly after that and went on to enjoy the better of the first 45 minutes. It was less than two minutes after Camara's fine effort that the action in front of goal was at the other end of the pitch.A neat pass into the Rams’ box met the feet of the impressive Corey Whelan, who seemed destined to score, however, Mitchell was more than equal to the close-range effort and produced a spectacular reaction save.As the game approached the break, it was Liverpool who were once again knocking at the door, only this time it was through Harry Wilson after an impressive run saw him on the end of intelligent through ball. It was a chance, once again, that looked destined to hit the back of the net but another impressive instinctive stop from Mitchell ensured that the score remained level.With half-time fast approaching, Joe Gomez struck an audacious shot from 25-yards but it proved to be nothing more than routine for Mitchell, who ensured the game entered the break on level terms.As play resumed, a fast start from Liverpool ensured that they remained in the driver’s seat, although they continued to be by a stubborn and robust defending Derby side that ensured Liverpool were left with a sense of frustration in front of goal.Into the early stages of the second half, a golden opportunity fell the way of Brooks Lennon after an excellent corner delivery but once again Mitchell stepped up – tipping the ball comfortably over the bar as he back pedalled.From there, Derby grew stronger as the clock ticked down and on 56 minutes a threatening counter attack involving Craig Bryson and Charles Vernam saw the Rams burst forward.After a period of interchange, both players worked the ball quickly up the pitch and into the corner of Liverpool’s box and after Vernam cut inside, he could only bend his left foot shot over the crossbar.Derby continued to push and went on to create their best chance of the game after quick passing between Bryson and Alex Babos, which eventually led to Timi Max Elsnik breaking through on goal inside the box. The Slovenian midfielder, however, was unable to get the ball under total control and Liverpool’s shot stopper Kamil Grabara was quick off his line to make a fine save.With Derby well and truly on the front foot two further chances fell to the hosts in quick succession some five minutes later.The first fell to Babos, the substitute, who sent Kellan Gordon’s cross from the right side over the bar and the second to Callum Guy, who was unable to find his balance and sent his effort well wide to the left from inside the box.Struggling to cope with Derby’s increased attacking pressure, Liverpool were well and truly forced onto the back foot and it was Bryson who looked to try and capitalise next – taking on a shot from just outside the box which was blasted narrowly over the bar.Despite the increase in attacking pressure, though, in the end it wasn’t to be as chances at both ends fizzled out – forcing honours being held upon the conclusion of the contest.Mitchell, Stabana, Olsson (Macdonald, 63), Bryson, Hanson, Lelan, Gordon, Guy, Vernam, Elsnik, Camara (Babos, 62)Cover, Barnes, JakobsenGrabara, Whelan (M. Gomez, 69), Garcia (Maguire, 69), Gomez, Sakho, Llori, Wilson, Chirivella (T. Gomes, 86), Lennon, Virtue, BrannaganFirth, WilliamsTweets by @ dcfcofficial