The Uruguayan got the home side off to the perfect start when he stabbed home on two minutes before Spearing thundered in the second with a brilliant effort from distance.

The diminutive midfielder then added a third just prior to the interval as Rodolfo Borrell's charges bounced back from their NextGen defeat in Lisbon in style.

Ryan Noble struck a late penalty for the visitors after Coates was penalised for a foul, but it did little to dampen what was a fine overall display as substitute Nathan Eccleston had the final say with a sublime double in front of the watching Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suarez.

Ahead of the encounter the reserves had enjoyed a training session with the first-team and there were a quartet of Melwood-based stars involved who would go on to play the whole 90 minutes.

Jon Flanagan, Danny Wilson, Spearing and Coates came in to add some invaluable experience to the hosts and the latter made an instant impact.

Suso found space down the right and whipped in a delicious cross that Coates was on hand to steer home from close range.

Sunderland may well have been stunned by Liverpool's attacking intent from the kick off but they responded immediately and Noble was unlucky to see his effort from a tight angle flash across the six yard box after rounding Martin Hansen in the Reds goal.

Jordan Cook then exchanged a one-two before scuffing a shot off target as the Black Cats illustrated just why they had come into the game level on points with the league leaders.

It had been a lightning start to the proceedings and Raheem Sterling should have made it two on 10 minutes but his low shot was easily beaten away by 'keeper Lewis King.

Adam Morgan then saw a goalbound shot blocked as Liverpool poured forward, but just as it seemed like the chance had gone begging up stepped Spearing to make it two.

The midfielder picked up the loose ball and had time to set himself from 25 yards before arrowing a sensational drive into the bottom corner.

Less than quarter of an hour on the clock and the Reds were well in the ascendancy.

Next, Morgan went close when he was thwarted by King while at the other end Noble brought the best out of Hansen with a snap shot.

Liverpool were full value for their two-goal cushion but it got even better on the stroke of half-time when Spearing netted his second of the match.

The No.20's first shot was parried by King and when Morgan's follow-up was blocked, Spearing reacted by racing into the area and coolly tucking into an empty net.

The visitors would have been shell-shocked by the interval scoreline and they came out for the second period with renewed vigour.

Roarie Deacon nodded a tame header into the grateful arms of Hansen while Craig Lynch should have done better when he dragged a low shot from close range into the path of Coates, who hacked to safety from inside his own six yard box.

On the hour mark Borrell opted to freshen it up, replacing Morgan with Eccleston, who had recently returned from a loan spell at Rochdale, and his first touch almost created a fourth goal of the afternoon.

The striker sent Sterling rampaging in on King but once again the young winger hesitated when clear and saw his shot easily stopped by the Sunderland custodian.

Such was Liverpool's dominance that right-back Flanagan twice got into advanced positions but despite his best efforts he could not get his name on the scoresheet.

With time ticking down Sunderland pushed forward and eventually got a consolation on 82 minutes when Coates brought down Lynch, giving Noble the chance to convert from the spot.

However, Liverpool had the final say when Eccleston turned well before firing home a superb fourth.

And the frontman showed great pace and awareness to net his second deep into injury-time when he raced through and clipped a delightful shot over the advancing 'keeper.

Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the match: Jay Spearing. Industrious, great attitude and two well-taken goals.

Liverpool Reserves: Martin Hansen, Jon Flanagan, Danny Wilson, Andre Wisdom, Sebastian Coates, Conor Coady, Raheem Sterling (Michael Roberts 82), Jay Spearing, Adam Morgan (Nathan Eccleston 60), Krisztian Adorjan (Toni Silva 66), Suso. Unused subs:  Jamie Stephens, Stephen Sama.