Scouting Keyrol Figueroa: Meet the Antoine Griezmann-endorsed U.S. youth national who could break through at Liverpool

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.

His mother told Honduran a newspaper that Figueroa scored 90 goals 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.

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.

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.

This is where it gets tricky. There really aren't any central strikers anymore. And those that prefer to play through the middle or part of a front two tend to be more direct presences. Figueroa could yet be an excellent striker, but he isn't a physical freak like Erling Haaland or reckless runner like Darwin Nunez. He's also certainly a bit quicker and more direct than Karim Benzema and Roberto Lewandowski.

The best frame of reference, though, is a similarly athletic, right-footed striker who can do a bit of everything. Victor Osimhen has been among the best strikers in Europe for a few years now, able to dominate in the air and on the ground thanks to a mixture of jumping ability, skill on the ball, and raw pace to run in behind. Figueroa ould have to settle into a central position long term for this to materialize, of course, but all of the traits are here.

Things are going well. Figueroa signed his first professional contract in early 2024, and has now become a fixture for the U.S. youth national sides. He is also thriving in the Liverpool U21s. What happens next will be interesting to see. In Figueroa, Liverpool certainly have a top talent, but also a valuable asset - perhaps a loan move makes sense, especially if he is able to go somewhere and get regular minutes (breaking into Arne Slot's first team seems a tall ask at the moment.)

Either way, Figueroa is developing more and more every month. Griezmann might just be onto something.