Dominic Solanke’s hat-trick sealed Liverpool’s place in the knockout rounds of the Premier League Cup as they beat Stoke City 4-0.
Both sides went into the tie at St George's Park knowing victory would earn them a top-two place in Group G.
A strong Liverpool side that included Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne making returns from injuries took the lead in the 25th minute through Solanke.
The forward doubled the lead five minutes before half-time and claimed his hat-trick midway through the second half.
Bobby Adekanye also got on the scoresheet for Liverpool, for whom Herbie Kane was sent off late on.
The win sends Liverpool above Bristol City on goal difference with 10 points.
Bristol City will win the group if they avoid defeat at home to Charlton Athletic, a match that will be rearranged after it was postponed on Friday due to a frozen pitch.
See: Liverpool report | Stoke report
Next fixtures
Liverpool 28 Feb v Porto (H) PL Int Cup
Stoke: 3 Mar v Blackburn (H) PL2
