Liverpool need a point from their final Uefa Youth League group game to reach the knockout stages after thrashing Napoli 7-0 in Kirkby.
The Reds travel to RB Salzburg on matchday six knowing a draw will take them into the next section of the tournament.
Any other result would see Barry Lewtas’ team contest a play-off against a side from the domestic champions’ side of the draw.
It looked like Napoli would put up more of a fight in the early stages of this fixture as Samuele Vianni broke free before lobbing an effort just wide with seconds on the clock.
However, Jake Cain the scoring under way immediately after with a fine left-footed strike from distance before Curtis Jones’ penalty quickly double the hosts’ advantage.
Elijah Dixon-Bonner soon made it three as he struck home a Neco Williams cross, and Jones followed up by grabbing his second with a finish from a tight angle after brilliance from Harvey Elliott.
Captain Jones also had a hand in the fifth, nodding a cross back into the path of Luis Longstaff, who couldn’t miss from close range.
And the skipper capped a brilliant performance by completing his hat-trick straight after half-time, smashing a left-footer into the top corner after finding space at the edge of the area.
The Scouser’s personal tally almost reached four when he met Tom Hill’s low cross but, while his effort came back off the post, Longstaff was on hand to make it 7-0.
Hill could himself have claimed a match ball before full-time but missed three presentable opportunities late into what remained a productive cameo.
