AcademyU21s match report: Figueroa scores twice as Liverpool beat Middlesbrough
Keyrol Figueroa scored twice as Liverpool U21s defeated Middlesbrough 4-2 on Saturday afternoon at the Kirkby Academy.
The Reds earned all three points in the Premier League 2 contest and Figueroa proved a key threat for Rob Page’s outfit throughout.
He first fired over from close range after a corner ball fell to his feet, while Kaide Gordon then threatened, turning and running at the defence to shoot past the post.
Figueroa opened the scoring in the 20th minute, leaping highest inside the area to meet a hanging cross from Lucas Pitt and plant a header into the back of the net.
Ahead of the interval, though, Middlesbrough levelled through Sonny Finch, who had earlier hit the side-netting.
He made no mistake at the second time of asking, Finlay Cartwright playing a well-placed pass into his feet, allowing him to run free and convert to make the score all square at half-time.
Following the break, the Reds hauled themselves back in front just two minutes after the restart, Tommy Pilling driving into the area to win a penalty, which Gordon duly converted.
Liverpool went searching for a third to earn some breathing room in the fixture, though goalkeeper Owen Foster kept them at bay.
Figueroa’s touch and lay-off allowed Trent Kone-Doherty to race in but the visitors cleared his unselfish squared ball to Gordon.
Pitt then forced Foster into a strong save after good build-up from Kieran Morrison to work a chance.
Figueroa, however, wasn’t to be denied another as he converted his second goal, and header, of the match from Gordon’s ball into the box.
With a little under 20 minutes remaining the Reds struck again, Morrison this time cutting inside and finishing well after Kone-Doherty’s delivery to the back post opened up the chance.
Middlesbrough then reduced the deficit back to two in minute 84, breaking via a swift counter down the left flank, freeing up Finch to net his second of the game.
It was the last of the meaningful action, though, with Liverpool claiming the points thanks to a clinical display in front of goal.
Team
Liverpool U21s: Misciur, Pitt, Lucky, Nallo, Ewing (Davidson, 46), Laffey (Onanuga, 74), Pilling, Morrison, Gordon, Kone-Doherty (Pinnington, 86), Figueroa.
Unused subs: Poytress, Kelly.
Next up
The Reds travel to face West Ham United next Friday evening (November 7) in a 7pm GMT kick-off.
The Premier League 2 fixture will be available to watch live for All Red Video members.