In the first Talking Reds of 2014, read Harry Hugo on why he's excited by the players progressing through Liverpool's Academy system.

Evolution is a word bandied about in football and something that's been hugely prevalent under Brendan Rodgers' regime over the last 18 months.

Evolution can package itself in two different ways. Either a squad can change how it operates through new tactics, systems and operations, or a squad can evolve through new players coming through and developing alongside the existing. For Rodgers' Liverpool these aren't mutually exclusive and have gone hand in hand since his appointment.

Speaking to U21 manager Alex Inglethorpe recently, I started to understand the loan system and how it is put in place at Liverpool. The Academy staff have a clear lust for developing players and making them as good as they can be, be it for a career at Liverpool or something they can fulfil elsewhere.

Sometimes a loan is needed before that step to the first team can be made, 'a career before a Liverpool career', as he nicely put it; however, sometimes this isn't always the case. It's a case similar to class setting at primary school: the A Stream (the ones in and out of the first team), the B Stream (the players who are on the cusp of getting on the first-team bench) and the C Stream (those that are still in their development phase, pushing for the chance). Some of these in the C Stream need that extra bit of help from a second teacher; in this case a second club.

Looking at this model further under the microscope, the two distinct sets of players on the cusp of the first team are split by some distance. One group consists of those who have had extended minutes for Liverpool in a professional capacity (the likes of Raheem Sterling, Martin Kelly, Jordon Ibe and Jon Flanagan), the other group incorporates players who are excelling and, through the manager's meritocratic system, deserve a shot at the big time (players such as Jordan Rossiter, Brad Smith, Cameron Brannagan and Lloyd Jones).

All of the second group were playing U18 football for Liverpool at some point last season and, crazily enough, so was Jordon Ibe who has had quite the 12 months. Jordan Rossiter has made huge progress as a 16-year-old, making himself an U21 regular in the centre of midfield without looking out of place.

The Academy staff have a team full of talent all bursting for that opportunity and opportunity is a possibility with Rodgers at the helm too. Inglethorpe said of Brendan's ethos: 'We're lucky to have one of the only managers in the country that will give you a chance if you show talent and willing'. But it was his line about youth success that reigned poignant in the conversation: 'The victories for my team are very nice for that moment but in truth are pointless. The only result that matters is that of the first team.'

Amazingly Raheem Sterling has experienced winning in both of Brendan and Alex's teams in the last 12 months, with the young winger almost leading the evolution of the squad; culminating huge talent, expansive prospect and youthful experience together to cram himself into a team that's challenging for the pinnacle. Jon Flanagan has also slotted into this mould fantastically when called upon this season due to injuries, and that's all you can ask for from a youngster. I feel competence is being taught in our youth ranks; that and pride. Pride for the shirt is resuming as a young player.

The fact these players are getting a chance finally shows that we have potential flooding through our Academy, ready to step up to the plate when required. I don't just recognise the names making appearances, I'm excited to see them get their chance.

Add players in January we ought, but depth shouldn't just come through millions of pounds of investment. Investment in the people coming through should also be prioritised in a way to aid the first-team evolution. I can sense there are plenty of first-team debuts to come.

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