Samed Yesil capped his recent return from injury with a brace as Liverpool U21s ousted Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 at White Hart Lane.
The German only came back from a lengthy lay-off on the back of his second anterior cruciate ligament injury within a year, but was in full flow in north London as Michael Beale's side romped to a comfortable win.
The young Reds had fallen to successive losses to Leicester City and Fulham, but started off the better side on Friday evening - despite the presence of senior defensive midfielder Etienne Capoue in the Spurs line-up.
Liverpool found themselves with the advantage inside five minutes, as Ryan Kent found the bottom corner after a mistake from Spurs' goalkeeper Luke McGee gave him an ideal opportunity from close-range.
The home side almost responded immediately, but Kenny McEvoy blazed his shot over the bar after Sam Hart's slip allowed him a good chance inside the area.
Beale's side continued to ease into the game and they doubled their lead before the 30 minute mark. Goalscorer Kent turned creator, mazing his way into the area before the ball broke loose and fell for Yesil - who poked home a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Liverpool should arguably have gone into the break with a three-goal cushion after Kent found himself with the ball at his feet in the 36th minute. Spaniard Sergi Canos' cross found the 18-year-old with aplomb, but Kent could not hit the target with Spurs forcing a corner.
After the break, the young Reds sealed the three points as early as the 49th minute through the familiar face of Yesil. The lively 20-year-old produced the goods again, firing low and hard through McGee for his second on the night.
Spurs were being restricted any clear-cut chances for most of the game, as Joshua Onomah fired over the crossbar from outside the box before the hour.
Liverpool should have made it even worse for their counterparts, when Canos did excellently down the left-hand side, making space for himself before delivering a low ball into the box - but it was cleared before a red shirt could apply the finish.
With 15 minutes to go, Spurs salvaged some pride when Will Mellor's header deflected off of Conor Randall to beat Lawrence Vigouroux - an ex-Spurs academy prospect.
Beale's side might have restored their three-goal advantage through Kent, again after good build-up via Canos, but the young Englishman could only slot straight at McGee.
Nevertheless, the young Reds held on for a deserved victory to put them one point off of 1st-placed Manchester United at the top of the table, before the mini-Merseyside derby in 13 days' time.
Beale told Liverpoolfc.com after the game: "I'm delighted for the lads and we did ever so well.
"It was great to see Samed getting two goals and only he could have scored the type of goals he got tonight, and with his wrong foot.
"It was great to see him after the game with a big smile on his face. He has worked so hard to get back to full fitness and his sharpness is coming back.
"Ryan scored a great goal with his left foot and he, Harry Wilson and Sergi Canos were terrific for us.
"Corey (Whelan) was superb on his debut and Connor Randall and Alex O'Hanlon did a great job."
Liverpool U21s: Vigouroux, Whelan, Hart, Randall, Cleary, O'Hanlon, Canos, Trickett-Smith, Yesil, Kent, Wilson. Subs: Brewitt, Firth, Ejaria, Pelosi, Madger Gomes.