The teenager has established himself for the Reds' youth sides, and a U.S. senior appearance could be next
Antoine Griezmann, supposedly, is a Keyrol Figueroa fan. The legendary France international has given him his endorsement, repeatedly reached out to the winger through WhatsApp and Instagram, and is tracking his progress.
It is high praise for the teenager, who, after electing to represent the U.S. at the youth level, has become a point of fascination among fans. He has signed a pro contract, established himself for the Liverpool academy, and is on the cusp of senior football. His standout showings for club and country – despite the occasional injury struggle – have him very much in the picture for the Reds' first team. There can be few doubts that the future is bright.
The USMNT might call, too. Figueroa, speed, smarts and all, is the exact profile of player that the national team need through the center. There is certainly more football to come, but continue to improve, and Mauricio Pochettino might give him a ring.
But who exactly is Figueroa? Why does Griezmann rate him so highly? And how did he manage to score seven goals in seven games at the U17 Concacaf Championship? GOAL scouts the player who could be the next great U.S. attacker.
Getty ImagesWhere it all began
Soccer is in Figueroa's lineage. Born in Honduras, he is the son of long-time Honduran and professional journeyman Maynor Figueroa. His father had a fine footballing career, playing in the Premier League and MLS, while making a record 181 appearances for the national team. But while Maynor was a stout center back who could also play on the left, Keyrol is a lanky and tricky forward.
He was first discovered by FC Dallas, starring in the academy while his father was a regular for the senior side. Figueroa consistently impressed for the Texas side, enjoying strong performances in youth tournaments against the likes of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. And after a successful showing at a tournament at England's national training center, Liverpool pounced. They brought him into their Under 14 academy side, where he was a regular goalscorer.
AdvertisementThe big break
His mother told Honduran a newspaper that Figueroa scored in his first season for the Liverpool academy. Hyperbole aside, it was clear that he had some talent in front of goal. He proved as such in his breakout month – a fine showing for the United States at the Under-17 CONCACAF Championship in February 2023. Then 16, he scored seven goals in seven games for the U.S, and declared that he would play for the country for good despite also being eligible for his native Honduras and England.
Since then, Figueroa has moved up through the Liverpool ranks. He started the 2024-25 campaign with the U19 side, scoring a wonderful goal against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Youth League. After another promotion, he found the net for the first time for the U21s in November – and has since trained with the Reds' first team.
Getty ImagesBiggest strengths
Figueroa is showing all of the signs of a complete center forward. There isn't much that is lacking in his game in order for him to develop into a top tier No. 9. He is quick, strong, has good feet, and can finish instinctively inside the box. Defensively, he is a good presser, who has scored a few goals for the U18s thanks to his diligent work rate and intercepting passes in the final third. Standing 6-0, there's a real presence to him too.
But the real appeal is his game intelligence. Figueroa is unusually polished for his age. He can hold up the ball, play with his back to goal and link play. It all makes him a rather versatile presence, able to function in a number of different setups. Yes, it's early days, but the potential is there.
Areas for development
It isn't too much of an overreaction to suggest that there are no glaring weaknesses to Figueroa's game. The only real reason that the U.S. youth national hasn't appeared for Liverpool's senior side is that they are so deep in the front line. But there are still some areas to improve. Figueroa is solid on the ball, but his link up play could use some real work – especially if he is to play in a possession heavy team.
Some of his movement could also be better. For now, the striker is able to simply torch defenders for pace. That won't stay forever; he needs to learn to be smarter in some of his runs. That will all come with time, though.
