Liverpool FC are a team that have always prided themselves on their youth development and for having a Scouse core in the team.
From Ronnie Moran to Phil Thompson, Sammy Lee and Gary Ablett and the golden generation of the 1990's with Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Jamie Carragher and Steve McManaman.
But with October's 1-1 draw with Everton the first side to not feature a single Liverpool-born player in a Merseyside derby since the 1986 FA Cup final, it begs the question of Liverpool's Scouse identity in an increasingly globalized game - something that's been waning since the early 2000's, with the best academy products either sold, from bigger cities such as London or simply not good enough to play for the first team.
In fact, it's hard to say Liverpool have had a bona fide success story since Steven Gerrard. Aside from Jordan Rossiter and Jon Flanagan, Liverpool currently have just two local-born players on the first team books at the moment in the form of striker-come-midfielder Jack Dunn and right back Connor Randall, who have only made two first-team appearances combined at the ages of 21 and 20.
Uncertain futures for highly-rated youngsters
But the long-term futures of both Rossiter and Flanagan also remain up in the air, with both youngsters in their final year of their contract. As the days drift by, Liverpool fans continue to have horrendous flashbacks of Steve McManaman who left for Real Madrid on a free transfer back in 1999 - whilst others have also ran down their contracts before leaving for little-to-no money since then.
Rossiter looked set to break into the Liverpool first-team picture this season until a hamstring injury picked up in October curtailed his progress, having started his Liverpool career brilliantly by scoring a long distance shot against Middleborough in the League Cup last season.
Flanagan meanwhile, just returned to action with the U21's playing 30 minutes against Fleetwood Town. He hadn't played a single minute of football in 19 months prior to the said match due to injury and remains a ways off a return to the first-team.
While Jürgen Klopp has publicly stated his admiration for Rossiter, who has in the past been compared to Liverpool's prodigal son, Steven Gerrard, it remains unclear what his feeling are regarding the "Scouse Cafu", Jon Flanagan. While it appears Flanagan is hard at work to get back to full fitness, he is now free to enter negotiations with foreign clubs, having entered the final six months of his contract.
Whilst the versatile defender remains a potential asset to a more than shaky Liverpool defense, it remains to be seen whether he may or may not be a victim of a shake up at Liverpool, with Klopp having gotten rid of 17 senior players in his first seasons at Borussia Dortmund.
Rossiter could be an important midfield option in the future
But, should a similar situation occur in the summer for Liverpool, it would be a mistake for the German manager to let go of either player.
Rossiter in particular appears to have an incredibly bright future ahead of him, despite a particularly packed Liverpool midfield, having had the opportunity to learn under both Steven Gerrard and his namesake, Jordan Henderson, and being just 18 years old.
Liverpool are likely to need more of a number six position players, or defensive midfielders as they can be known, in the future with the ageing of Lucas Leiva. While more of a box-to-box midfielder whose talent lies in his ability to pick out a pass, Rossiter has shown a desire to learn and a great deal of youthful exuberance that has endeared him to manager Klopp.
While it's thought that the long term midfield pairing in Klopp's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation is Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and the ever exuberant, Emre Can (neither an out-and-out defensive midfielder by trade), it's hard to imagine a future without Rossiter at the club given his immense talent, and with the seemingly imminent departure of Joe Allen, a regular squad place may just open up for the shaven-headed midfielder.
Given the potentially imminent departure of the Welsh midfielder as well as the occasional injury lay-offs for captain Henderson, Rossiter could find himself third or fourth-choice midfielder, behind Henderson, Can, Lucas, and possibly vice-captain James Milner but ahead of fellow academy graduate Pedro Chirivella, and may see first team action this month or next month given the number of cup matches and the general schedule crunch - provided he returns from injury in time.
Harder for Flanagan to break into the first-team?
While also very talented, it appears that 22-year-old Jon Flanagan's path to the first-team may be slightly more complicated. A defender capable of playing both right and left back, the presence and perhaps, emergence of several academy players may make competition for spots even tougher for the Liverpool born man.
As it stands, behind starters Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno - three players have also played in their positions this season: Connor Randall at right-back, Brad Smith at left-back - and prior to his injury - Joe Gomez at left-back, though his long-term position may lie in central defence. Along with those three, Liverpool currently have three right backs out on loan this season - Andre Wisdom, Kevin Stewart and Ryan McLaughlin. While Flanagan is undoubtedly more talented than the three, their presence still remains an obstacle.
One other possibility remains for Flanagan to stake a claim at the first-team of Liverpool, and that is moving to the middle. While seemingly absurd, the defender whose best trait is his reading of the game and has never been the best at going forward is just two centimeters shorter than Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher. While an increase in muscle mass would be necessary for Flanagan, the switch remains a possibility, however unlikely.