Liverpool U19's hammered holders Inter Milan 4-1 last night to navigate an unlikely qualification into the next stage of the European Next Gen Tournament.
Liverpool qualified for the last 16 of the tournament by finishing as one of the best 3rd placed clubs.
Coach Alex Inglethorpe and the Liverpool players knew they needed a win and other results to go their way if they were to have any chance of staying in the competition. And they did it in some style.
Captain Conor Coady dispatched two penalties, and Samed Yesil took his two goals well.
The reds weathered initial strong possession from the Italian side to take a 2-0 lead at the break. Inter Milan pulled a goal back on the hour mark, but Liverpool applied the afterburners and ensured the victory with a further two goals in the second half.
15 year old Jordan Rossiter, captain of England U16's, also had time for a brief cameo.
Liverpool U19: Fulton, McLaughlin, Smith, Jones, Sokolik, Coady, Sinclair (Tricket-Smith 54), Pelosi, Yesil, Adorjan (Rossiter 89), Ibe.
Unused Subs: Baio, Belford, Gainford, Lussey, Petersson
Goals: LFC: Coady (pen 29, pen 77), Yesil (34, 65) Inter: Benassi (62)
Teams through to knockout stages
Barcelona
Paris St Germain
CSKA
Sporting Lisbon
Inter Milan
Olympiakos
Anderlecht
Juventus
Ajax
Aston Villa
Rosenborg
Arsenal
Liverpool
PSV Eindhoven
Tottenham
Chelsea* (Chelsea will qualify ahead of Marseille if they avoid a 12-0 defeat by Ajax)