Liverpool might not be enjoying the best of season’s under Jurgen Klopp, with a number of the club’s star players continuing to under-perform, but it’s a rather different story in the Reds’ academy with a number of youngsters continuing to catch the eye.
Stefan Bajcetic has been the standout, with the 18-year-old cementing his place in Liverpool’s starting XI since the turn of the year. Starting the Reds’ last seven matches, he has made 15 appearances to date and even scored his first senior goal against Aston Villa in December.
Beyond that, Ben Doak and Bobby Clark, son of former Newcastle United midfielder Lee Clark, have made the biggest impact after impressing at youth level, with both teenagers making Premier League debuts this season and boasting five and two senior appearances under their belts respectively.
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Yet they aren’t the only youngsters to make headlines this season, with a number of goal-getters also putting in some eye-catching displays.
Layton Stewart is Liverpool Under-21s’ leading goalscorer in Premier League 2 this season, boasting seven goals from 11 appearances, while he even made his senior Reds debut against Derby County in the League Cup in November.
Meanwhile, fellow striker Oakley Cannonier, as well as scoring three PL2 goals for the U21s, has shone in the UEFA Youth League for the Under-19s. Featuring four times in the group stages, he boasts seven goals ahead of Liverpool’s round-of-16 clash with Porto on March 1.
And at Under-18s level, Trent Kone-Doherty and Lewis Koumas are leading the way for the young Reds. Both have scored seven U18 Premier League goals with the former’s coming from 14 matches and the latter’s, who is the son of former Wales international Jason Koumas, from just six games before an injury.
Clark and Koumas aren’t the only sons of former Premier League stars who are making their mark in Liverpool’s youth ranks though. Keyrol Figueroa is too.
Son of former Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa, he scored 90 goals in one season for the Reds Under-13s and Under-14s, and was just 15 when handed his Under-18s debut in October 2021. Now 16, he has made four substitute appearances for the U18s this season.
And while he is yet to score for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side, it’s a different story on the international stage with the young forward currently away at the 2023 CONCACAF U-17 Championships in Guatemala.
Representing United States Under-17s, the championships marked Figueroa's first call-up as he has enjoyed an astonishing tournament to date.
Utilised as a substitute in the group-stages, the 16-year-old came off the bench to register a goal and an assist on his USA U17s debut as they opened the tournament with a 5-0 victory over Barbados.
While he couldn't get on the scoresheet as they beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-1 in their second match, he then scored the only goal from the bench as USA beat Canada.
Awarded a first start in the round-of-16, he scored a brace as USA thrashed Dominican Republic 7-0, while he'd then follow that up with another brace in their 5-3 quarter-final victory over hosts Guatemala.
Figueroa and USA are next in action in the early hours of Saturday morning as they take on Canada in the semi-finals. Win and a final showdown with Mexico or Panama awaits.
Boasting six goals from five appearances to date, Figueroa is currently the joint-leading goalscorer in the tournament along with Mexico's Stephana Carrillo and will inevitably have his eyes on the Golden Boot.
His displays are certain to have caught the attention of one famous admirer, with Antoine Griezmann taking a personal interest in the young forward's development, with the Frenchman interested in becoming an agent when he retires.
Last year, a source close to the Figueroa family revealed to the Daily Star: “Keyrol is amazed whenever Antoine gets in touch. He loves it. Antoine has become something of a mentor for the kid - via WhatsApp and with words of encouragement.
“It’s brilliant for him to have one of the game’s greatest strikers in football following his progress. It’s a huge boost.“
And while Figueroa is yet to score for Liverpool Under-18s, you’d imagine the 16-year-old will return to the Academy full of confidence in the weeks ahead and, with aided by Griezmann's unofficial mentorship, you wouldn't bet against him quickly getting off the mark as he looks to continue his incredible goalscoring form.
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