Arne Slot delivered clear message by Liverpool striker ahead of FA Cup tie

Keyrol Figueroa scored a stoppage-time brace to complete Liverpool U21s' thrilling 3-2 comeback victor, with the striker's ninth goal of the season potentially catching Arne Slot's eye

(Image: Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)

Liverpool Under-21s clinched a thrilling victory in a five-goal spectacle, with Keyrol Figueroa netting a last-minute winner against Norwich City, ensuring Rob Page's squad kicked off 2026 on a high note.

The substitute striker bagged a double as the young Reds twice rallied from behind in their Premier League 2 comeback, having not competed since mid-November.

Page fielded a robust team, with Will Wright spearheading the attack following his recent recovery from injury, while Luke Chambers took up the left-back position after his own extended layoff.

Kieran Morrison and Trent Kone-Doherty were positioned on either wing, with Wellity Lucky and Amara Nallo forming the central defensive partnership ahead of goalkeeper Armin Pecsi.

Liverpool found themselves trailing midway through the first half when Elliott Myles put Norwich ahead, but Nallo promptly levelled the score from close range, ensuring the teams went into halftime on equal footing.

Botan Ameen put the Canaries back in front shortly after the restart. However, the tide turned when Figueroa was brought on for Wright at the 60-minute mark.

Keyrol Figueroa of Liverpool celebrates scoring Liverpool's first goal during the PL2 game at AXA Training Centre(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)

The American youth international first levelled the score at the far post following a corner in the 82nd minute.

He then sealed the win in the 95th minute, nodding home a cross from close range to record his ninth Premier League 2 goal of the season in just his tenth appearance.

Given that players like Lucky and Morrison played the full 90 minutes on Friday, it seems unlikely they'll be in the starting line-up when Liverpool face Barnsley in the FA Cup third round on Monday night.

However, with Liverpool potentially lacking in attacking options, Figueroa's match-winning performance as a substitute could well have caught Arne Slot's attention.

Slot has previously looked to the Liverpool academy for youthful, revamped teams for last season's FA Cup loss to Plymouth Argyle and this season's League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.

Whether he plans to rely on the Reds' young talent again or opt for a more experienced line-up when Liverpool host the Tykes at Anfield remains to be seen.