Jaume Camacho showed his predatory skills bursting from midfield as Manchester United U18s crushed Liverpool 6-3 - and are now unbeaten in eight games.
The Spaniard struck twice in the first half, with Noah Ajayi also on target, as Darren Fletcher’s side established a commanding 3-0 lead.
Liverpool fought back after the break through captain Finn Inglethorpe and Erik Farkas, but Camacho completed his hat-trick before substitute Emmanuel Ziro restored United’s three-goal cushion.
It was an impressive display with recent signing Karim Cassim standing out as well as Camacho with his composure and talent on the ball.
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Camacho comes from Lleida in Catalonia, the normal heartland for Barcelona's La Masia youth academy.
His family left the north east of Spain when he was still very young and he never played in the country but clearly in his genes are the technical skills so often associated with Barca's homegrown midfielders.
Added to that Camacho has the physical strength to get forward and score goals which makes him a very exciting talent for the future.
Luca Eden gave the visitors fresh hope with a stunning late strike, only for Camacho to have the final say in stoppage time with his fourth goal of the afternoon.
United made a fast start and took the lead after just six minutes. Camacho collected the ball around 25 yards from goal before unleashing a dipping right-footed shot into the bottom corner.
The forward went close to doubling his tally when another effort struck the crossbar, while Matty Wright was kept busy in the Liverpool goal as United maintained their pressure.
Ajayi made it 2-0 in the 34th minute after Liverpool failed to clear their lines. The forward showed composure to evade two defenders before rolling his finish through Wright’s legs.
Camacho then added his second just before half-time, with Kai Rooney winning possession and driving forward before squaring for the Spaniard to finish.
Liverpool responded after the interval and pulled one back in the 55th minute. AJ Yeguo’s effort was blocked, but the ball fell kindly for Inglethorpe to score from close range.
Farkas reduced the deficit further in the 73rd minute after United goalkeeper Charlie Hardy appeared to slip and concede possession, allowing the Liverpool midfielder to bundle the ball home despite Jayden Ngwashi’s attempt to clear off the line.
United responded almost immediately. Edson DeJonge-Seiros found Camacho, who turned and fired a left-footed finish into the far corner to complete his hat-trick.
Substitute Ziro then made it 5-2 with eight minutes remaining, driving at the Liverpool defence before finishing at the near post after being picked out by Cassim.
Eden’s powerful strike from distance in stoppage time briefly threatened to set up a nervy finish, but Camacho settled the contest less than a minute later, calmly converting after more good work from Cassim.
The victory consolidates United’s third place in the U18 Premier League North and gives Fletcher’s side a fourth consecutive home win in all competitions.
After drawing their previous two matches against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, the young Reds will look to carry their momentum into Tuesday’s trip to Burnley, which kicks off at 13:00 GMT.
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