Liverpool's academy has earned a reputation as one of the very best in the country.

The Reds are known for developing local talent, but in recent years they have adopted an approach of signing the very best youngsters from around Europe.

The additions of Rio Ngumoha, Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Trey Nyoni are just some examples of the Anfield outlet signing highly rated academy prospects.

The pathway to first team football at Liverpool is something the club are rightly proud of, but that pathway isn't right for everyone, and now the club have lost one of their most exciting talents to a Premier League rival.

Just days after Andoni Iraola gave starts to Nyoni and James McConnell in the third round of the Carabao Cup, it was announced that one of the Spaniard's academy starlets would be joining the team they hope to rival for the Premier League title.

Vincent Joseph was widely regarded as an exciting prospect at Liverpool's Kirkby academy despite only being 16-years-old, but the striker turned down the chance to sign scholarship terms with the club and has instead signed a first-year scholarship deal with the Premier League champions.

Having scored three times in two appearances for Liverpool's u18s last season, playing two years above his age group, there was plenty of interest in Joseph this summer, but the Gunners eventually beat out Chelsea and Manchester United.

The Reds will be disappointed to lose a player who has scored eight times in nine appearances for England's u16s, but with the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Jadon Danns and Lewis Koumas ahead of him in the pecking order, a first-team opportunity remained a long way off for the teenager.