Reaction'I'm proud of my derby hat-trick - but it's all thanks to my teammates'

The 19-year-old striker left Sunday afternoon's mini-Merseyside derby victory at the Academy in possession of the match ball.

Figueroa netted the game's opener in the fifth minute and then put Rob Page's team 3-1 up at the break, before completing his treble in the second half.

• Read our match report here

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com post-match, the USA youth international said: "This is really important for me, especially because of how it's been going for me recently.

"Sometimes I've been playing, sometimes I've been not, injuries. I just had to keep my head high, I didn't want to sulk or anything.

"This was my career at the end of the day, so I had to decide whether I step up to the plate or not.

"Especially against Everton and in the Merseyside derby, it's a proud moment for me. But I wouldn't have been able to do it without the boys, honestly.

"I had to work hard on my own but this was all them. I had Kaide [Gordon] and Trent [Kone-Doherty] and all the balls they gave me, so I'll say thank you to them.

"This [the match ball] was for all of us."

On a hat-trick since the 34th minute, Figueroa had to remain patient for his third goal, with it finally arriving seconds before the 90 was up.

"I was just thinking, 'One more shot, one more shot.' Thankfully it came off, the last one," the forward continued.

"I heard Kaide in the back of my ear but I was like, 'No, let me have this, I need it.' It was a proud moment for me, so we'll keep on going for the next game against Middlesbrough."

Figueroa's first effort was quickly equalised by Francis Gomez, though Everton's task would soon be made more difficult by the red card George Finney received midway through the first half.

Calvin Ramsay was the man to restore Liverpool's lead with a header from inside the box, prior to Figueroa increasing their advantage.

Head coach Page said: "He [Figueroa] has thoroughly deserved his opportunity to play. He's been a credit.

"He's seen other players play and he's never grumbled once – well, maybe once or twice he's knocked on my door! But I respect him for that, I love him even more for that. What a guy and what a great character.

"What a hat-trick today and a game for him. I asked for a performance before the game and they delivered and then some.

"We got a little bit sloppy [in the] second half, of course, but sometimes you get a little bit complacent when a team goes down to 10 men. Overall, I was really, really pleased with the performance."