Kevin Keegan scored ten minutes from time to give Liverpool a 3–2 victory at Derby County on 11 September 1976. Liverpool had led early, fallen behind before half-time and then recovered through John Toshack before Keegan settled the match at the Baseball Ground.
The win came at the end of a week which had already brought disappointment. West Bromwich Albion had knocked Liverpool out of the League Cup in a replay five days earlier. Their league campaign had been more productive: victories over Norwich City, West Brom and Coventry City had accompanied a defeat at Birmingham City in the opening four matches.
Derby had proved difficult opponents on Liverpool's previous visits that year. They had ended the Reds' FA Cup campaign with a 1–0 win in January, before the league meeting in February finished 1–1. This September return would require Liverpool to recover from another unpromising position.
Ray Kennedy opened the scoring after six minutes, with Keegan supplying the assist. Derby answered through Charlie George in the 17th minute, and a Phil Neal own goal midway through the half put the home side ahead. Liverpool's early advantage had become a 2–1 deficit by the interval.
Paisley's starting side included Tommy Smith in defence and David Johnson alongside Keegan, Toshack and Steve Heighway in the attacking personnel. Derby fielded Roy McFarland and Colin Todd, with Graham Moseley in goal. A crowd of 26,833 watched the visitors attempt to turn the match again.
Toshack equalised nine minutes into the second half, Keegan providing another assist. The roles were reversed for the winner: Toshack supplied Keegan in the 80th minute, completing a recovery in which their partnership had been central to both second-half goals.
Liverpool finished the afternoon back on top of the First Division. The European Cup opener against Crusaders was only three days away, but the immediate gain was in the league: a fourth victory from five matches, achieved after another demanding visit to Derby.