Liverpool U18s moved within three points of the top of the table by beating Sunderland 4-0 at the Academy on Saturday afternoon.
Barry Lewtas’ Reds were good value for a victory secured through a Tom Hill opener and an excellent hat-trick from Layton Stewart.
The result closed the gap on U18 Premier League North leaders Manchester City and Liverpool still have a game in hand to play.
The young Reds made an encouraging start on a cold day in Kirkby and might have taken the lead within two minutes of kick-off.
James Norris slid a pass into the left channel that invited Stewart to collect the ball and cross into the middle, where Fidel O’Rourke was unable to get enough on the finish to prod home.