You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling scored twice as England Under-21s clocked up a record-breaking 9-0 win against San Marino – impressively answering Gareth Southgate’s calls to show more ruthlessness in front of goal.

Fans flocked to a sold-out Greenhous Meadow hoping for goals and the Young Lions did not disappoint, racking up a win that usurps their previous best of a seven-goal margin of victory set in 1976 and 2009.

It was the perfect end to a tumultuous year and just what manager Southgate had called for in the build-up to the European Championship qualifier.

In pictures: England 9 San Marino 0

While keen for the team to play with freedom, the former England defender was frustrated by some of his players’ preference for the over-elaborate in Thursday’s 3-0 win against Finland.

Southgate called for a more clinical edge in England’s last match of 2013 and got just that in Shrewsbury, despite the absence of in-form Saido Berahino through suspension.

Michael Keane nodded England ahead after 13 minutes, with Sterling and full debutant Danny Ings extending that lead soon after.

James Ward-Prowse curled home a fine free-kick in the 24th minute as England’s dominance continued, with Thomas Ince extending the lead further as half-time approached.

Ings just beat room-mate Carl Jenkinson to prod home England’s sixth shortly after the restart, although the Arsenal right-back managed a goal of his own after Sterling smartly lifted the ball over San Marino’s hapless goalkeeper.

Will Hughes showed great feet before slotting home to put England 9-0 up, wrapping up an impressive victory that keeps them in control of Group 1.

Jesse Lingard thought he had made it 10-0 only to be denied by the referee’s whistle, while Ings saw penalty appeals waved away before Jack Robinson rattled the post.

Full debutant Lingard whistled a long-range strike just wide in stoppage-time, but the 10th proved elusive.