In Martin Kelly and Daniel Ayala, Liverpool have two of the most promising defenders in English football.
Both are 19, both have represented their country at youth level and both were fast-tracked to Melwood in the summer of 2007.
So how does one feel when the other receives a shock first-team call for a Barclays Premier League fixture in front of the Kop?
This was the dilemma facing Kelly when Ayala was selected ahead of him for a full debut against Stoke City back in August.
"There is a healthy rivalry," said Kelly, who was promoted from the Academy aged just 17.
"He came in from Spain when I came up from the Academy. We bonded and I have to take my hat off to Danny this season. He's done well and I have to respect that.
"I've got to play football for myself and not look at what anyone else is doing. I need to focus on what I'm doing as a football player and hopefully I'm developing well.
"My dad has always said to me to let other players worry about me. That's what I try to do."
Thankfully this professional attitude paid off for Kelly when he took advantage of another injury crisis to start at right-back against Lyon last month.
His surging runs down the right combined with solid defending earned nods of appreciation from the same Kopites who got behind Ayala months earlier.
Kelly is quick to thank another Academy graduate for some inspiring words prior to kick-off.
He explained: "You have an idea you're playing during training but I didn't know for sure until about an hour and a half before kick-off. Then the butterflies started.
"Luckily, Jay (Spearing) made his debut the week before, so he was going through a similar thing.
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"I'd told him that the boss clearly believed in him, so he had to go out there and take his chance. And he was there to say the same to me. We sit next to each other in the changing room, so he gave me a little bit of advice.
"It lived up to expectations. At the start when You'll Never Walk Alone finished and then we ran out to the Champions League music - you can't get better than that.
"Now I've had a taste of playing in the first team I want to play as much as I can."
Kelly's desire for senior football could be aided by a versatility which was illustrated on loan at Huddersfield Town last term.
"At the moment I don't know which is my best position," said the 19-year-old. "I'll play anywhere across the back four. When I went to Huddersfield I played at left-back for the first three games and it didn't seem any different to right-back. I don't mind where I play.
"I've been working hard on the tactical side of my game, which helps. That's coming along and I can't thank the coaching staff enough for what they've done to bring me on as a player.
"The defenders here are top-class players but I'll be trying my hardest in training.
"They (Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel) have been great with me, giving me advice and telling me how to put anything I'm doing wrong right.
"Training with them every day is fantastic - I can't wait to get out there with them and then I don't want the training sessions to finish."
As well as looking at those ahead of him in the pecking order, Kelly is all too aware of the threat from behind.
One budding defender who has earned rave reviews for the second string this year is Paris St Germain prodigy Chris Mavinga.
"You've always got to look behind you for who is coming up," said Kelly. "That pushes you on as a player. You look at what's coming behind and look at those in front so you're aiming for something.
"I've seen Chris in a few reserve games and he's done well."
