Liverpool U18s climbed to the top of the U18 Premier League North table with an impressive 3-1 win over a tough Stoke City side at the Academy on Wednesday.
Rhys Williams, Elijah Dixon-Bonner and Leighton Clarkson got the goals as Barry Lewtas' team moved three points clear of second-placed Derby County.
Visitors Stoke had beaten Everton 4-2 at the weekend to knock Liverpool's Merseyside rivals off top spot but found little joy on a gloriously sunny day in Kirkby.
Reds centre-back Williams, who signed his first professional contract yesterday, headed the hosts in front and Dixon-Bonner restored the lead with a low shot from the angle on 22 minutes, after Abdoulaye Toure had briefly levelled for the away side.