Liverpool took absolutely no prisoners in their first Carabao Cup game of the season.
The Premier League champions made the trip to League One Lincoln City, who started 2020/21 with a 100% record, on Wednesday night and ran away convincing 7-2 victors.
Xherdan Shaqiri set the tone for the game within the first 10 minutes, scoring a remarkable free-kick from the right-hand side that crashed into the top corner via the crossbar.
Lincoln City 2-7 Liverpool
From thereon in, Liverpool seemed to embark on a competition to score the most incredible goal they could with Takumi Minamino doubling their lead with another beauty.
The Japanese international upgraded his tally to a brace less than a minute into the second-half, while Marko Grujic scored his first Liverpool goal and Divock Origi bagged a customary strike.
But fair play to Lincoln, because they managed to notch two goals against the world champions with Tayo Edun and Lewis Montsma finding the net at an empty Sincil Bank.
Curtis Jones shines vs Lincoln
However, if you've noticed that we've missed out a couple of goals from the narrative, then you're not mistaken because we're saving the best for last and they came from Curtis Jones.
There is a considerable amount of hype surrounding the 19-year-old as one of, if not the, most exciting youngster in Liverpool's ranks and that couldn't have been clearer against Lincoln.
Jurgen Klopp had said earlier in the summer that the Reds will use 'transfers' from within, so credit to Jones for grabbing his opportunity with both hands after his breakthrough 2019/20 season.
Jones' brilliant individual highlights
Not only did Jones score two glorious goals during the 7-2 rout, but he also looked like a class above the rest every time he touched the ball and justly bagged the Man of the Match award.
His five shots and three efforts on target were the most on the pitch, while he also boasted a 91% passing accuracy, had 90 touches and completed 50 passes in the opposition half.
It should come as no surprise then that Jones' highlights were pretty impressive so, courtesy of Twitter user @CF_Comps, do yourself a favour and check them out down below:
One of the Premier League's top talents
The most exciting talent in the Premier League? If not, he's pretty darn close.
Kopites will have to keep their fingers crossed that Klopp continues to give Jones opportunities in the first-team and the next round's clash with Arsenal looks ripe for him to take centre stage.
Besides, not only is Jones a class act on the pitch, but he's also a class act off it, too, showing his humility when Sky Sports caught up with him for a post-match interview.
Class off the pitch, too
Per the Liverpool Echo, Jones said: “I’ve always said, when I’m called upon, I’ll always give 100% and I show that in every game that I play. I’ve got to wait for my turn because there’s a great pick in there.
“I’ve always said, when I’m called upon, I’ll always give 100% and I show that in every game that I play. I’ve got to wait for my turn because there’s a great pick in there."
The world is your oyster, Curtis.
