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

One of Liverpool's top academy prospects who scored 90 goals in a calendar year has opened up on being the son of a Premier League cult hero.

Keyrol Figueroa, who represents the United States at youth level, has built a significant reputation within the Liverpool academy following a number of prolific seasons for their youth teams.

The 18-year-old forward penned his first professional contract in May last year and is now desperate to taste life as an elite-level footballer.

Speaking to Liverpool's official website, Honduras-born Figueroa gave an insight into life growing up alongside his dad, Maynor, who played for Wigan Athletic and Hull City before joining 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 said.

"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, went on to suggest that the main assets of his game are strength, pace and his 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 added.

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

Figueroa Sr, meanwhile, made 179 league appearances for Wigan between 2008 and 2015.

He is also responsible for scoring one of the best free-kicks in Premier League history during a game between Wigan and Stoke City; an effort that won the BBC Goal of the Season award for 2009/10.

One of the best long-range goals you’ll ever see 😵‍💫

Maynor Figueroa, take a bow! pic.twitter.com/RpWk7cBVtJ

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 12, 2022

Speaking about that goal, Keyrol said: "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."