Arne Slot has labeled Liverpool a "special club" because of its ability to regularly produce academy talent — with one shining example in Trent Alexander-Arnold having recently outlined his desire to become the best in his position in the world.

Midweek, Slot made wholesale changes as his side won 2-1 at Southampton in the Carabao Cup. Among them, Trey Nyoni and Tyler Morton started the game and James McConnell and Jayden Danns came off the bench.

"That made our game at Southampton special," Slot said. "We have seen that most of the clubs in the quarter-finals played with their starters. Our academy players were starting or on the bench.

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"That makes this club special. There is always room for academy players, and not just this season. If we are missing a few players, we take a look at the academy. That is part of our identity."

Alexander-Arnold, an academy graduate who is in the final year of his contract as things stand, has made no secret of his intention to improve further. And Slot was asked about those ambitions and how he can help with that during his press conference.

"I like this in a player," Slot said. "This is something every player must have at this level. If you don't, you probably don't play at this level.

"As long as they put the team first and become the best as a result, it is what we want from all the players. That mentality is not a given for everyone. It is the mentality of a top player to want to be the best in your position in the world."

Liverpool.com says: It was the right call to throw in a couple of academy talents midweek and Slot has already shown himself to be willing to do that. It can only be a good sign that he is going to follow the same path as Jurgen Klopp when it comes to that kind of thing, with plenty of emerging talent to be called on in Kirkby.

As for Alexander-Arnold, a big decision is coming one way or the other. Liverpool should try everything to keep him away from Real Madrid's grasp but you can see why there might be a temptation to try something new. Hopefully that situation is resolved sooner rather than later.