Liverpool’s ‘next big thing’ who scored 90 goals in a calendar year is son of Premier League cult hero

Keyrol Figueroa, who plays for the United States at youth level, has earned a strong reputation within Liverpool’s academy after delivering several standout seasons for their youth teams.

The 18-year-old forward signed his first professional contract in May last year and is now eager to experience life as a top-tier footballer.

In an interview with Liverpool’s official website, Honduras-born Figueroa shared what it was like growing up with his father, Maynor, who previously played for Wigan Athletic and Hull City before moving to MLS side Colorado Rapids.

“I was in America for a bit and I wanted to pursue my football career, so I persuaded my parents to bring me back to England and try to find clubs,” he explained.

“It was bound to happen for me to become a footballer. It was the life put through me – the qualities of being a professional or even just the experiences when we went away or when we went to watch his [Maynor’s] games.

“For me, I dreamt of that. Just because I want to live that life, I want to be able to play at the highest level and I could give back to [my parents’] sacrifices outside of football and inside of football.”

Figueroa, who joined Liverpool in 2018, also described his main strengths as a player, highlighting his power, speed, and finishing ability.

“I’m the type of player where my euphoria comes from scoring. If I play well and I don’t score, I’m kind of off it and my mood changes. I’m very dependent on those things,” he said.

“I was a natural [at] goalscoring through my ages, so that’s what I kind of expect from myself.”

His father, Maynor Figueroa, made 179 league appearances for Wigan between 2008 and 2015.

Maynor is also remembered for scoring one of the greatest free-kicks in Premier League history during a match between Wigan and Stoke City, an effort that earned the BBC Goal of the Season award for 2009/10.

Reflecting on that goal, Keyrol commented, “One day, I said to my dad that there’s going to be a day where I have the chance to do it and I’ll try to do it. But he can’t score bicycle kicks for a living, so it’s alright.”