Liverpool Under-21s twice came from behind to secure a stoppage-time victory over Norwich City on Friday
Keyrol Figueroa of Liverpool celebrates scoring Liverpool’s first goal during the PL2 game at AXA Training Centre(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)
Liverpool Under-21s came out on top in a five-goal thriller as Keyrol Figueroa scored a stoppage-time winner away at Norwich City to ensure Rob Page’s side started 2026 with a victory. The striker came off the bench to score a brace as the young Reds twice came from behind on their return to Premier League 2 action, having not played a competitive fixture since the middle of November.
Page named a strong side as Will Wright led the line following the summer signing’s recent return from injury, while Luke Chambers started at left-back following his own lengthy absence.
Kieran Morrison and Trent Kone-Doherty started on either flank, while Wellity Lucky and Amara Nallo partnered each other at centre-back ahead of goalkeeper Armin Pecsi.
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Liverpool fell behind midway through the first half as Elliott Myles opened the scoring for Norwich, but Nallo equalised from close-range soon after to ensure the sides went in level at the break.
Botan Ameen restored the Canaries’ lead shortly after the interval. But Figueroa helped turn the game on its head after being introduced in place of Wright on the hour-mark.
The United States youth international first equalised at the far post following a corner in the 82nd minute.
He then struck the winner in the 95th minute, heading home a cross from close-range as he netted his ninth Premier League 2 goal of the season from just 10 outings.
With the likes of Lucky and Morrison completing the full 90 minutes on Friday, they are perhaps unlikely to be handed first team starting opportunities when Liverpool host Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Monday night.
But with the Reds potentially short on attacking options, Figueroa did his hopes of catching Arne Slot’s eye no harm with a match-winning performance off the bench.
Slot turned to the Liverpool academy when naming youthful, much-changed sides for last season’s FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle and this season’s League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
It remains to be seen if he intends to turn to the Reds’ youngsters again, or will instead opt for a more senior set-up when Liverpool host the Tykes at Anfield.
Liverpool starting XI vs Norwich City: Pecsi; Davidson, Lucky, Nallo, Chambers; Kelly (Trueman, 70), Morrison, Pilling, Laffey, Kone-Doherty; Wright (Figueroa, 60).
Unused subs: Misciur, Pinnington, Ewing.
