Liverpool have a long history of producing homegrown striking talent. And in Layton Stewart, there's every chance another has rolled off the conveyor belt.
Stewart netted a superb hat-trick as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's first competitive game as under-18s boss ended in a 5-0 romp against Stoke City at the Academy in Kirkby on Saturday.
The 18-year-old Huyton-born forward, who has been at the Academy since the age of seven, scored 16 times last season while also making his first steps at U23 level.
And his treble was further evidence of an eye for goal, comprising a clever finish, a coolly-taken penalty and a sumptuous long-range shot.
That said, Dominic Corness could claim the game's most remarkable strikes by twice scoring direct from a corner during the second half.
Liverpool suffered an early blow when debutant Harvey Blair was forced off after suffering what appeared a hamstring problem when stretching to reach a Stewart pass.
But the home side went ahead on 25 minutes with a superbly-worked goal.
Luca Stephenson seized possession in midfield and found Tyler Morton, whose pass found Stewart inside the area. The striker took a touch to steady himself, before elegantly clipped the ball over oncoming Stoke goalkeeper Paul Cooper.
Substitute Melkamu Frauendorf, the 16-year-old German youth international who signed last month, couldn't apply the finishing touch after a fine ball in from the left by the impressive Morton.
And Liverpool doubled their lead on 38 minutes when, having been found by Luke Chambers, Stewart powered into the box only to be felled by Henry Nash. The striker picked himself up and sent Cooper the wrong way from the spot.
Cooper then made a great save to deny Stewart sealing his hat-trick before the break after a good ball from the left by Morton.
The blustery conditions contributed to Liverpool's third shortly after the hour, a left-footed corner from the right by Corness floating straight into the goal.
And Stewart completed his hat-trick in similarly spectacular fashion, running at the Stoke defence before curling into the top corner from 20 yards with 18 minutes remaining.
Substitute Max Woltman was denied a fifth by a good save from Cooper before, incredibly, Corness - nicknamed "The Wand" by Academy staff because of his left foot - scored again direct from a corner in exactly the same circumstances with five minutes remaining.
Woltman then hit the underside of the bar with a thunderous volley.
Liverpool U18s are next in action at home to Manchester City at the Academy next Saturday.
LIVERPOOL U18s: Ojrzynski; Wilson, Quansah, Jonas, Chambers; Stephenson, Corness, Morton; Stewart, Balagizi (Woltman 74), Blair (Frauendorf 15). Subs: Davies, Mabaya.
