Liverpool did find some glory this weekend, albeit in the Premier League 2. The U21 side took on Everton at the Academy and demolished their local rivals 4-1.
The young Liverpool striker Keyrol Figueroa was the standout, as the youth side built on their dramatic 5-4 win midweek against Frankfurt U19s in the UEFA Youth League. Figueroa scored a hat trick on Sunday, bringing the USMNT youth international to an impressive five goals in eight appearances for the Reds. He nabbed the opening goal in just the fifth minute, though Everton equalized shortly thereafter.
The lead was restored via a Calvin Ramsay (he plays for the Reds still) header after Everton went down to 10 men in the first half. Figueroa scored before and after the halftime break to underscore Liverpool’s dominance.
Figueroa’s first goal might have been the standout from a team perspective, with a bright Kaide Gordon driving past a number of opponents before sending a pin-perfect cutback for the American to lodge home.
Though the resulting penalty was saved by Everton goalkeeper George Pickford, it’s notable that Figueroa won the penalty itself, and was a continued menace during the entirety of his time on the pitch. (In case you’re wondering, George is not related to Jordan Pickford — it’s just a coincidence.)
Speaking to press after a game that saw him leave with the match ball, Figueroa balanced pride, humor, and humility:
“It’s a proud moment. It’s been hard, especially with the situation with me not playing sometimes, but I take every moment in my stride and I’m so proud that I got this moment and the opportunity. The manager has given me a lot of belief in showing my talent and it’s a proud moment.”
“I was looking for one of these [match balls] in Europe as well, but I was pleased with how Trent Kone-Doherty played, and Kieran Morrison as well.”
Figueroa was unlucky not to score in the aforementioned 5-4 win against Frankfurts U19s.
“Every time I play, I want to win and that’s my first goal. The goals come afterwards. As a striker, obviously you want to score, but I’m just as happy if we win,” the striker continued.
“When I came in, I had a lot of different solutions that I needed, and [manager] Rob [Page] gave me them. He has seen my potential and he spoke to me and said that I’m good on the ball, I’m a fantastic striker, we’ll have everyone else work for that, and just get yourself in the box and be that lethal, ruthless number nine.
“He always says in the meetings about having energy, being disciplined, and being ruthless. Those are his core anchors and he tells us all the time that’s what we need before the game.”
“I like being myself [as a player]. But I go back to Liverpool back in the day when Daniel Sturridge was around. I watched him and Luis Suarez.
“Besides Liverpool, one of my favorite strikers is Karim Benzema or Didier Drogba. Harry Kane as well. I know Alex [Inglethorpe, the Liverpool academy director, previously at Tottenham] used to work with him and gives me tips about that. I just take on that information and those are my players.”
Though he has stiff competition within Liverpool’s youth set-up, the 19-year-old looks like his future is bright.