Liverpool have helped develop the careers of many of their academy stars over the years, and particularly last season.
Manager Jurgen Klopp was forced to turn to his youngsters on several occasions due to an injury crisis in the senior squad.
And it’s fair to say the Anfield youth didn’t disappoint, with many young players notably playing a key role as Liverpool lifted the League Cup.
It remains to be seen exactly what approach new manager Arne Slot will take with the academy players, but he would be foolish to overlook them next season.
At the same time, however, he may be keen on allowing them to further their development elsewhere in the new campaign.
Championship interest in James McConnell emerges
One player who could be involved in such a move is James McConnell, with Hull City interested in a move for the midfielder, according to the Liverpool Echo.
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The interest from the Championship club is likely to emerge in the form of a loan move, with the Tigers having taken that approach with the Reds in recent times.
Fellow midfielder Tyler Morton just spent the entire campaign on loan at Hull, and he was joined by Liverpool teammate Fabio Carvalho for the second half of the season.
Will Arne Slot give James McConnell a chance next season?
McConnell is only 19 years old, but the midfielder already has nine senior Liverpool appearances to his name.
Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League experience was secured this season, while he was among the youngsters to have been handed a crucial role in the League Cup final meeting with Chelsea at Wembley.
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Such experiences will have done him the world of good, with McConnell now surely keen to impress the new man in the Anfield dugout.
He is certainly a popular figure at Melwood, with academy teammate Lewis Koumas labelling McConnell a ‘very special player and very good to play with’.
And he also has the backing of Klopp, who named the midfielder as one of six players who can become regulars under Slot.
The Dutchman will definitely appreciate his determination and versatility, with the teenager able to play in both central and defensive midfield.