| Luis Suarez scored one and helped create two as Liverpool booked a place in the third round of the Carling Cup with a commanding 3-1 victory over Exeter City on Wednesday night.
The Uruguay striker marked a lively hour-long display by firing the Reds into the lead on 23 minutes with a well-taken volley following good work from Maxi Rodriguez and Jordan Henderson.
Suarez then turned provider early in the second period, teeing up Maxi for Liverpool's second of the night before substitute Andy Carroll made it 3-0 with a blast from the edge of the box soon after.
Daniel Nardiello bagged a consolation from the penalty spot for Exeter, but the Reds kept alive their hopes of reaching the new Wembley for the first time on a night when Kenny Dalglish recorded his 200th win as Liverpool manager in all competitions.
Earlier this week, the manager underlined the significance of the Carling Cup to Liverpool this season - and if anyone had any doubts about how seriously his side would be taking the competition, they were quickly dispelled as news broke of the team selection.
Included in the starting against the League One outfit XI were summer signings Henderson and Charlie Adam, joining established first-team stars such as skipper for the night Pepe Reina, Maxi, Raul Meireles and the fit-again Martin Skrtel.
Also on the team sheet at St James Park was Suarez, while a powerful substitutes' bench consisted of Carroll, Jose Enrique, Dirk Kuyt, Stewart Downing and Jamie Carragher, as well as Jonjo Shelvey and Alexander Doni.
60 places separated the two teams in the league ladders prior to kick-off, but a colourful atmosphere greeted kick-off in Devon.
However, Liverpool could have silenced the locals inside the opening five minutes when Skrtel met Adam's deep corner at the back post, but stabbed into the side netting.
Then, on 10 minutes, a well-worked corner routine sent Adam bounding into the box before the Scot's low drive was repelled by Artur Krysiak at his near post.
But Exeter fired a warning signal soon after as the unmarked Nardiello headed into the arms of Reina from a free-kick - and Liverpool's plans were dealt a blow when Meireles was forced from the field after 20 minutes.
The Portugal playmaker was left clutching his shoulder after crashing to the turf while trying to avoid a strong challenge from Danny Coles. Carroll was nominated as his replacement by Dalglish.
Nevertheless, Liverpool took the lead midway through the first half. A swift counter-attack saw Maxi free Henderson into space on the right wing. His lofted cross was clawed away by Krysiak, but only as far as Suarez who made no mistake with a drilled effort in front of the travelling fans.
The Reds were now firmly in the ascendancy and Maxi was millimetres away from getting on the scoresheet as he tried to reach a dangerous Suarez centre on 35 minutes before nimble footwork from Carroll on the edge of the box carved open a shooting opportunity for Adam, but the No.26 was off target.
The visitors' dominant performance was well worthy of a second goal - and it almost arrived in first-half stoppage time when Spearing released Suarez into the box. The striker deftly navigated the challenge of Troy Archibald-Henville but saw an audacious chip narrowly clear the crossbar.
Dalglish would have no doubt called for more of the same in the second half - but Exeter could have drawn level seconds after the break as Nardiello beat Reina to a long ball forward, but the former Manchester United trainee failed to generate enough power on his attempt to hook over the Spanish stopper.
And Exeter's hopes of a comeback were dashed when Maxi doubled Liverpool's advantage on 55 minutes.
After collecting Henderson's pass, Suarez surged into the box and slipped a low ball across the face of goal to the Argentinean forward, who converted with aplomb.
Two soon became three to put the tie beyond any doubt. Carroll hurdled a challenge on the edge of the box before dispatching an unstoppable effort into the back of the net to leave Krysiak clutching at air and get off the mark for 2011-12.
With his work for the night done, Suarez was substituted for Downing in the aftermath by Dalglish to a standing ovation from both sets of fans.
The winger was soon trying to get in on the act, cutting in from the right and seeing his blast parried by Krysiak. Carroll headed wide from the resulting corner.
Exeter were handed a chance to reduce the arrears late on when Skrtel conceded a penalty after bringing down Nardiello inside the box. The striker took the kick himself and beat Reina from 12 yards with 10 minutes to go.
But it had no impact on the final outcome as Liverpool made sure of a safe passage into the third round.
Liverpoolfc.tv journalists' man of the match: Luis Suarez
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