Just days after Arne Slot talked up the importance of attackers leading from the front, one of the most exciting young forwards in the Liverpool ranks did exactly that
Rio Ngumoha scored twice as Liverpool’s Under-23s drew with Aston Villa on Saturday.
The 16-year-old’s first brace at Premier League 2 level. Another milestone in a year full of firsts. Ngumoha enjoyed a senior Liverpool debut in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley in January and, after Arne Slot talked up the Reds teenager on the back of a lively display, he made the transition from Under-18 football to the Under-23s look pretty seamless.
But the second of his Saturday brace owed much to the groundwork laid down by another red-clad teen sensation by the name of Keyrol Figueroa.
While perhaps not revered as say Nguhoma or a Trey Nyoni, Figueroa is confident he can follow in Daniel Sturridge’s footsteps and prove himself to be a ‘complete’ centre-forward at senior level
When I was younger, I was just about old enough to watch [Didier] Drogba, [Sergio] Aguero,” Figueroa told the official Liverpool website recently. “I watched Luis Suarez as well. I think [Fernando] Torres when he was at Atletico Madrid was someone I tried to embody.
“Daniel Sturridge as well when he was at Liverpool. Those are the types of players that I looked up to.
“I’d say I’m powerful, I’d say I’m good [with my] back to goal. I think I’m a complete, total finisher – I can finish with my left, my right or my head.”
Keyrol Figueroa delivers what Liverpool boss Arne Slot is asking for
As Slot was keen to point out on Friday, speaking ahead of the 1-0 win over Leicester City, a Liverpool striker must offer more than goals.
With the Reds in the market for a new number nine – Darwin Nunez is expected to leave for Saudi Arabia – Slot wants a centre-forward capable not only of guaranteeing a regular source of goals but also one who can press from the front and force opposition defenders into mistakes.
Mistakes like the one committed by Aston Villa goalkeeper Oliwier Zych. And gratefully, greedily pounced upon by Figueroa.
Even before the ball had left Zych’s foot, Figueroa was ready and waiting. He darted in to intercept a loose ball intended for Aston Villa’s right-sided centre-back. Then, after snatching possession on the edge of the penalty area, he waited for support.
And, once Ngumoha had made the run in behind, Figueroa assisted his fellow teen’s second of the day with an inspired backheel assist.
Combativeness and class, all in one moment from the Honduran-born USA Under-20 international.
That was Figueroa’s first assist in the Premier League 2 season. With only one goal to his name, it remains to be seen whether the 18-year-old son of former Wigan Athletic hero Maynor Figueroa can add to his game the ruthless streak requires. Though, on the evidence of that Villa clash, he does share his father’s penchant for the unexpected
This is not the first time that Figueroa’s intelligence off the ball and his excellent endeavour has proven to be a difference-maker in the final third.
“Defensively, he is a good presser,” Goal write in their analysis of a young forward they liken to the Liverpool-linked Victor Osimhen.
“[Figueroa] has scored a few goals for the Under-18s thanks to his diligent work rate and intercepting passes in the final third
Turn that potential into productivity and prove himself capable of possessing Osimhen-esque finishes, meanwhile, and Keyrol Figueroa might just come into Arne Slot’s thinking as pre-season looms on the horizon.
“You want the difficult answer of the simple answer?” Slot said on Friday when asked what he is looking for fro ma Liverpool Centre-forward. “The simple answer is goals, that’s why you play a forward. He needs to produce goals.
“But apart from that, in modern day football, a number nine needs to work hard and be part of an intense pressing team.
“If you look at the teams now playing in the semi-final of the Champions League, all eleven players work their ass off. So, that is also what I’m expecting from our number nine, that he’s part of an intense pressing team.
“But in the end it’s helpful that the number nine of Liverpool scores goals.”