Liverpool U21s came from behind to win 3-2 at Norwich U21s thanks to a late brace from Keyrol Figueroa, as the team selection offered a hint at Arne Slot‘s plans.
Norwich U21s 2-3 Liverpool U21s
Premier League 2, Avant Training Centre
January 9, 2026
Goals: Myles 20′, Ameen 49′; Nallo 25′, Figueroa 82′ 90+5′
Norwich City U21s 2-3 Liverpool U21s
• Figueroa’s impact: Substitute Keyrol Figueroa secured a 3-2 victory with a sensational late brace, taking his tally to seven goals in four games.
• Slot’s hint: The absence of Calvin Ramsay suggests he is being saved for Monday’s FA Cup tie.
• Injury returns: Kyle Kelly and summer signing Will Wright both made successful ‘competitive’ returns from injury as part of the starting XI.
Figueroa may not be the first-choice striker at the academy, but he is certainly taking the opportunities given, having scored seven goals in his last four Premier League 2 matches.
Despite him emerging as the hero, he didn’t start. Instead, Will Wright led the line, the 17-year-old summer signing making his first ‘competitive‘ appearance since suffering a knee injury in September.
Notably, Calvin Ramsay was the only fit member of Rob Page’s under-21 squad not involved, and having made the bench against Arsenal, we could see him in some capacity against Barnsley.
Ramsay started Liverpool’s Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace in late October, as did Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni who are also expected to appear in the FA Cup third round.
Kieran Morrison and defender Wellity Lucky played 90 minutes for Page’s side at Norwich, meaning they are unlikely to see action on Monday, though they could feature from the bench if necessary.
Liverpool under-21s were playing their first league match since November 7 and found themselves one goal down after 20 minutes as Lucky lost out to Elliot Myles.
Amara Nallo, who could leave on loan this month, pulled Liverpool level five minutes later with a close-range finish, but Norwich would again go ahead, this time through Botan Ameen’s excellent strike just after the break.
With Kyle Kelly and Wright both still returning to full fitness, they were replaced in midfield and up front by Ben Trueman and Figueroa in the 70th and 60th minute, respectively.
It would be the latter who would make the difference, scoring his first with eight minutes of normal time remaining as he turned home a corner.
The 19-year-old striker then scored again, deep into injury time, heading home the winner to give Liverpool just their fourth league win in their last 10 outings.
Liverpool U21s: Pecsi; Davidson, Lucky, Nallo, Chambers; Pilling, Kelly (Trueman 70′), Laffey; Morrison, Kone-Doherty, Wright (Figueroa 60′)
Subs not used: Misciur, Pinnington, Trueman, Ewing, Figueroa
Next match: Arsenal (H) – Premier League 2 – Saturday, January 17, 2pm (GMT)