Liverpool have become very adept at hoovering up some of the best young British talent in recent years.
Since Brexit rules mean they can no longer look to Europe to sign players under the age of 18, the Reds have focused on those closer to home instead.
Harvey Elliott, Bobby Clark and Kaide Gordon are just a few of the names who have been brought in and already made an impact on the first-team squad.
Others include Ben Doak and James McConnell, while the captures of both Trey Nyoni and Amara Nallo last summer look set to reap rewards down the line.
Most of these youngsters were brought in to the academy before they truly made an impact at their former clubs. But Liverpool are also privy to those teenagers already making first-team waves, too.
Liverpool ‘playing the long game’ for Archie Gray
Convincing young players to jump ship and move clubs at such a young age is always a delicate business.
For most, they are looking to leave their boyhood clubs. It can be dauting to make the leap to Anfield for much more experienced players, for talented youngsters it must seem hugely intimidating.
But Liverpool must be doing something right. They have bolstered their youth ranks with some of the top teenagers from around the country over recent years.
Obviously, when those prospects break through into the first-teams of their various clubs things can become more difficult. When they go on to shine there, it can become almost impossible.
READ MORE: Archie Gray surpasses Jude Bellingham record during amazing debut season
That appears to be what has happened in the case of Archie Gray at Leeds United this season. Gray is reportedly very much on Liverpool’s radar, but looks difficult to get him out of Elland Road.
That’s according to journalist Ben Jacobs, anyway. Jacobs has already claimed that Liverpool have been in touch with Gray and his family over a move to Merseyside for a little while.
However, now speaking to Give Me Sport, the reporter says that this is more a case of the Reds ‘playing the long game.’ After an impressive breakthrough campaign at Leeds, Liverpool will wait patiently for the 18-year-old.
“The most interesting one is Archie Gray, who Leeds would love to keep and the player had a breakthrough season. He played 40-plus games. Still very young,” says Jacobs. “There is lots of Premier League interest, including from Liverpool, but everyone’s playing the long game and is very respectful of the player’s development.
“Smart suitors who are in with the Gray family are also aware that signing him right now might be detrimental because he might not get the same minutes and game time as at Leeds United.”
No problem for Liverpool to wait for Archie Gray
If Liverpool think that Gray is the right player for them, then there is no worry in them not getting him in this summer.
It now seems highly unlikely that the England U21 international will leave Leeds. Even if someone meets their reported £40m price-tag, it feels like the Whites will resist.
And by the sounds of things, Gray himself is also happy to stay put for now.
Although his talents would certainly be welcome at Liverpool, Gray would not go into Arne Slot’s starting XI. So, instead, it’s better for the youngster’s development to keep playing and improving at home with Leeds.
The good thing is that Liverpool are seemingly showing that they are prepared to wait and get Gray in his own time. That will hopefully signal to the player and those around him that the Reds are the right choice for a future move.
Liverpool have played the long game effectively in the past, don’t bet against them doing it again here.