Liverpool swept away Stoke City to overtake the Potters in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp with one eye on the midweek clash against Dortmund, and with some injury and suspensions, made 7 changes to the starting line up.
Midfielder Kevin Stewart and promising forward Sheyi Ojo started their first Premier League game for Liverpool.
Daniel Sturridge was returned to the starting line-up, Divock Origi - the goalscorer in Dortmund named on the bench.
Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure were the central defensive partners.
The reds started well - and Sturridge was looking lively. But it was Alberto Moreno who finally landed one of those shots he's tried often this season - his left footed drive from outside the box beating the keeper in the 8th minute.
The wind was causing both sides problems and long range shots were being attempted.
Midway through the half Stoke grabbed an equaliser. From a free kick Xherdan Shaqiri sent the ball into the danger zone and Bojan, in space, headed past Mignolet.
It nearly got worse for the reds - Peter Crouch with a free header in the box. His goal however was ruled out for offside.
Fortunately the reds didn't take too much longer to restore the lead.
Moreno laid the ball off to Ojo who sent the ball past Shaqiri before floating in a beautiful cross precision-guided for Daniel Sturridge to head in.
At half time however there was a tactical change from Liverpool. Sheyi Ojo somewhat surprisingly taken off and replaced by Divock Origi.
Within 4 minutes any raised eyebrows were lowered as James Milner found Divock Origi who headed in to make it three.
Kicking towards the Kop Liverpool looked more filled with energy and there were some lovely moves from a different looking Liverpool side.
Sturridge looked in the mood - another chance on the hour created by him. His backheel found Moreno who whipped the ball in. Origi couldn't get his header on target to add to the reds tally.
There was more to come.
In the 66th minute the ball arrived at Origi's feet and he fired a wonderful shot that sailed into the net of the Kop goal. His second of the half and the reds fourth of the day.
It was a comprehensive win for the reds who now look forward to the Dortmund second leg.
