Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he was delighted to give three local lads their European debut this week against PSV Eindhoven.
Having had the club's youth structure also thrust under the microscope, Benitez was more than happy to sing the praises, too, of local boys Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly who made their European debuts.
Kelly, a strapping central defender from Bolton, Spearing a busy midfielder from Wirral and Liverpudlian full-back Darby all stepped up to the plate.
Benitez said: "I was so pleased to be able to give three local lads their debuts in the Champions League, it is something I have been wanting to do because we do have good young players coming through."