Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool boosted their hopes of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday.
After Mohamed Salah opened the scoring, Beto levelled for Everton, but captain Virgil van Dijk headed home a late winner to secure a crucial victory for Arne Slot’s side.
The result leaves Liverpool fifth in the Premier League, with a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea in the race for European qualification.
Liverpool have been hit by several injuries this season, with Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Wataru Endo, and Giovanni Leoni all ruled out for the rest of the campaign. Alisson Becker, Joe Gomez and Giorgi Mamardashvili are expected to return to full training soon.
There was brighter news at youth level, with Keyrol Figueroa returning from injury and scoring twice for the under-21s in a 6-0 friendly win over the i2i Football Academy.
Will Wright gave Rob Page’s side a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute at the Kirkby Academy. He added a second 10 minutes later, lobbing the goalkeeper after meeting a long pass from Kornel Misciur.
The former Salford City forward was then replaced at half-time by Figueroa, who returned from injury after more than two months out.
The USA youth international scored just five minutes after coming on. Another substitute, Ahmed, added a goal and an assist, setting up Laffey before Figueroa completed the scoring with a curling effort in the 82nd minute.
Keyrol Figueroa’s contract expires this summer. FC Porto and PSV Eindhoven are among the clubs who have shown interest in the youngster, who was unable to secure a loan move in the January window.
Figueroa signed his first professional contract with Liverpool in May 2024. The son of former Wigan Athletic defender Maynor Figueroa, he joined Liverpool’s Academy at U14 level and made his U18 debut while still an U16 player in 2021-22.
Known for his pace and eye for spectacular goals, he also featured regularly for the U18s as a first-year scholar in 2022-23.
Figueroa can operate across the front line, including on the right wing, and starred for United States U17 at the CONCACAF U17 Championship in Mexico, scoring seven goals in seven games before the USA finished runners-up to Mexico U17.
He has since been capped at U20 level and stepped up to Liverpool’s U21s in 2024–25, continuing his development with strong performances.
The forward began the 2025-26 season in impressive form, including a hat-trick against Everton U21 in Premier League 2, and was later included in a senior matchday squad for a Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
