Pre-game thoughts Smith is delighted the Rams are underdogs

Derby County's Korey Smith thinks it will most likely be a 'nice change of pace' for the Rams to be underdogs after their trip to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday night - and is aware that this evening, something can happen.

The RamsTV striker, the midfielder who has played at right-back in recent games, has mentioned his new right-back role, current schedule and Wednesday's replay.

In the current schedule...

It is what it is at the end of the day. It seems a little unusual that we have so many away games this month, but that's the game plan and we're footballers and it's our job to play football.

I can't lie and say it's easy on the body because it's not, but we're doing everything we can to recover and prepare for any recovery.

About spending more time with the team...

We're still a fairly new band, but we're very close now. Generally we don't mind traveling, it's fun to be on the bus and at resorts and laughing. That's probably the positive side of all the trips we do.

On the disappointing results after the late draw at Torquay...

There is actually no time to think or think about it. If we sit still and mope, it's not good. We have Liverpool tomorrow and another sport in a few days so we don't have time for that. We're also a bit outnumbered now, so we don't have time to really feel sorry for ourselves. Win, lose or draw - it's all about the next sport.

To the rear right function...

The gaffer asked me to do a job there. I see myself as a member of the staff and even if I haven't played a lot in my job, I'm happy to do it if that's what the team wants.

I'm still proud to be on the pitch and playing football. It's new to me so I can make a lot of mistakes but I guess I'm doing a good job there and the gaffer seems proud of me.

On the way to Anfield...

I have two little boys and they are very excited. One said this morning of the best way to go to school: "I'm not sure you will have the power to beat Liverpool but you will have the ability to do your best." So if we win now, I can say, "What did you say, son?"

I played there with Oldham Athletic and it's something you continue to focus on. I managed to get Steven Gerrard's t-shirt and it's something that will stay with me forever. But we're not just here to take a break. You go there to try to make your followers happy and proud of you and you never know; when you get a net result, it fires.

To be the underdog...

We play for a big football club and it's kind of a 'cup final' for everyone when they play us, so in a way it'll probably be good to have a sport where we're the underdogs .

It's a football game and there are 11 players against 11 on the field. You have a structure, you have a plan and you try to execute it, and that's what we're going to try.