Exciting Liverpool USMNT prospect one step away from first team promotion

Liverpool’s under-21 side has been a wealth of productivity over the past few years and it seems like they might have found their new star.

Trey Nyoni and Tyler Morton are both under-21 players who have made first-team appearances this season, and they are joined in making headlines by on-loan youngsters Ben Doak, Owen Beck and Lewis Koumas.

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When they lined up against Reading’s under-21s yesterday, Nyoni and captain Amara Nallo were rightfully expected to lead the performance.

But it was 18-year-old Keyrol Figueroa that ended up stealing the limelight.

Making just his second appearance for the under-21s, Figueroa scored Liverpool’s only goal of the game to mark his first at this age level.

Figueroa could be Liverpool's future

It’s a promising, exciting development in a position of slight need for the men’s first team.

Figueroa has previously bagged seven goals and five assists in 24 appearances for the Liverpool under-18 side, as well as grabbing a goal and an assist so far this season for the under-19 outfit in their UEFA Youth League campaign.

His goal yesterday showcased his exciting footballing brain, as he dropped off his defender to drift to the back post and tap in a drilled cross from winger Kieran Morrison.

It now means he is one step away from earning a coveted promotion to Arne Slot's first team. If he continues to score goals at U21 level, it will only be a matter of time until he gets that recognition from the Dutchman.

Who is Keyrol Figueroa?

Figueroa, son of former Premier League player Maynor Figueroa, represents the United States at international level, having started his youth career at 10 years old for FC Dallas.

He has worked his way through the age ranks for the USA and made his under-20 debut back in July in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship against Cuba.

The US ran out 4-0 winners that day, and Figueroa was given 25 more minutes in the final group game against Costa Rica, which they won 1-0.

He then played the entire second half in the quarter-final against Guatemala, being brought on at half-time when the game was 0-0. The US scored the only goal of the game just four minutes after he was brought on.

However, he unfortunately didn't feature for the rest of the tournament, with the USYNT losing 2-1 in extra time in the final against hosts Mexico.

Figueroa was replaced by Jayden Danns yesterday, who was finally making his return to action from a long-term injury.

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