AcademyU21s match report: Figueroa scores late to earn Liverpool victory at Stoke

Rob Page’s side took the three points on Friday night thanks to a goal from the forward in minute 86, giving the Reds their first win of the season.

Liverpool adjusted to their surroundings quickly and took the lead inside 10 minutes at Clayton Wood.

Trent Kone-Doherty had fired an earlier warning with a shot into the side-netting, though it was an own goal by Jaden Dixon that broke the deadlock.

A crossfield ball from Kieran Morrison to Kone-Doherty saw the winger get down the left and produce a low ball into the penalty area.

Dixon – who was under pressure from striker Will Wright – inadvertently turned the delivery past his own goalkeeper.

The visitors looked to add to their advantage with a spell of pressure, during which Wright was denied by a strong save from Noah Cooper in the home goal after a great run by Tommy Pilling.

Morrison then tested the Stoke stopper with an effort after turning the ball over in midfield, while Kone-Doherty struck the post via an angled drive after cutting in from the left.

Home defender Dixon then halted Morrison with a superb block inside his own six-yard box, ahead of the Potters levelling proceedings.

Liverpool failed to clear a dangerous corner kick and were made to pay by Adriel Walker as he pounced from close range to net.

Following the interval, the Reds picked up the pressure once again, Wright first producing a header to draw another save, while Morrison fizzed a shot over the bar.

The match continued in competitive fashion as Cooper saved from Morrison again, before a one-two between substitute Figueroa and Kone-Doherty saw a low strike fly inches wide.

At the other end, Stoke were proving a danger on the counter, with Favour Fawunmi responding with an effort past the post after cutting in from the left flank.

However, with four minutes remaining Liverpool finally grabbed the second goal they had threatened throughout.

It was Figueroa on target, converting from close in after a ball from Morrison found Kone-Doherty, whose resulting shot was blocked and fell into his teammate’s path.

In the closing stages, goalkeeper Armin Pecsi produced a stretching save to deny the advances of Japhet Matondo, while Lucas Pitt first blocked well and then cleared off the line to ensure the Reds victory.

Team

Liverpool U21s: Pecsi, Ramsay (Miles, 73), Pinnington, Lucky, Pitt, Trueman (Davidson, 55), Morrison, Pilling, Wright (Figueroa, 58), Laffey, Kone-Doherty.

Unused subs: Hall, Airoboma.

Next up

The young Reds begin their Vertu Trophy campaign for 2025-26 on Tuesday night (September 2).

Burton Albion are their opponents away from home in a 7pm BST kick-off.