James Pearce has recently delivered an intriguing verdict on the shifting dynamics at Liverpool which have enabled the academy to take some major strides forward in recent times.

What's the word?

While speaking on the Red Agenda podcast (March 31st, episode 20), Pearce spoke with Simon Hughes and host Steve Hothersall about the club's prestigious academy.

The quality of talent coming through the youth ranks has been placed under the spotlight this season, with Jurgen Klopp's decision to miss the FA Cup fourth round tie with Shrewsbury and instead leave his youth players under Neil Critchley's tutelage particularly catching the eye.

A 1-0 win over League One opposition in that game served to illuminate the extent of the talent the club have knocking on the door for a senior chance.

When asked whether Liverpool's academy is currently the envy of the Premier League, Pearce had this to say in response (03:00):

"It certainly is at the moment. If you look at the job that Alex Inglethorpe has done, and as Simon's piece details so well, he has transformed it. It wasn't that long ago that the top kids on Merseyside were more drawn towards Everton because they felt that was their best chance of making it. I don't think that's the case anymore."

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Shifting dynamics

Pearce's point about the shifting dynamics on Merseyside is particularly interesting.

From a young player's perspective, they need to consider how their time at youth level can best prepare them for a career in the senior game.

Given the respective ambitions of Everton and Liverpool, it's easy to understand how, at one point, the former would have been a more desirable destination for the next generation of talent.

And it seems that was indeed the case until recently. The emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold and the various opportunities young players have been afforded this season, however, could play crucial roles in altering perceptions amongst Merseyside's most promising up and coming players.

The shift in dynamic could well be a game-changer for the club as Alexander-Arnold, who is now valued at £99m by Transfermarkt, shows that there are both footballing and financial rewards to be reaped from utilising the academy.

In other Liverpool news, plenty of fans are saying the same thing about Harry Kane following his recent comments...