Calvin Ramsay‘s absence for Liverpool U21s was thought to have provided a hint about Arne Slot‘s squad to face Aston Villa, as the youth team beat Middlesbrough 4-2 thanks to goals from Keyrol Figueroa, Kaide Gordon and Kieran Morrison.
Liverpool U21s 4-2 Middlesbrough U21s
Premier League 2 (8), Kirkby Academy
November 1, 2025
Goals: Figueroa 20′, 67′, Gordon 48′ (pen), Morrison 73′; Finch 42′, 83′
Eight of the squad who played against Crystal Palace in the League Cup were involved for Rob Page’s under-21s as the Reds hosted Middlesbrough at the academy.
While Wednesday’s Anfield outing might not have been fruitful in terms of the result, it at least provided the youngsters involved with a memorable experience that could give some an extra inch of confidence in youth football.
One man who started against Palace, Ramsay, didn’t feature against Middlesbrough under-21s, though, and it hinted at a possible inclusion in Slot’s first-team squad to face Aston Villa.
He was, however, rested after playing 90 minutes in midweek, with Page explaining that club staff are protecting the 22-year-old.
If he is not involved, as Page suggests, Liverpool could have two goalkeepers on the bench at Anfield, with Armin Pecsi likely to join Freddie Woodman, Joe Gomez, Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Trey Nyoni, Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha.
Back to events in Kirkby, Figueroa finished an excellent individual week with another goal, after scoring a hat-trick against Everton last weekend and making the senior bench for the first time against Palace.
His hold-up play was Liverpool’s best asset in the first half against Middlesbrough, and he showed good physicality to rise above the goalkeeper to head in from Lucas Pitt’s cross for Liverpool’s 20th-minute opener.
Gordon was the Reds’ other bright spark in the first period, but it was a piece of sublime play from Middlesbrough that stood out from the half.
After 41 minutes, the Middlesbrough left-back drove an outstanding low, hard pass upfield into the path of Finlay Cartwright, who played Sonny Finch in to slot calmly past Kornel Misciur.
Half time: Liverpool U21s 1-1 Middlesbrough U21s
Having withdrawn left-back Clae Ewing at the break due to his ongoing recovery from injury, Lucas Pitt moved to right-back to allow substitute Josh Davidson to play on the left of the defence.
Liverpool started the second half excellently and retook the lead quickly as Tommy Pilling was clipped in the penalty area.
Gordon, who had an effort from the spot saved last weekend, made sure this time, firing high into the net down the middle.
Liverpool thereafter continued to get into dangerous positions around the Middlesbrough box but lacked the final pass to get in on goal.
That was until Gordon popped up on the right and curled a delicate cross in for Figueroa to head in brilliantly for his second of the afternoon.
With a rainbow forming over the academy, Morrison took the opportunity to make it 4-1 to Liverpool, following up for a rebound from Trent Kone-Doherty’s shot.
Immediately after, Michael Laffey came off as Afolami Onanuga was brought on in midfield for the last 16 minutes.
There was still time for Finch to pull one back for Middlesbrough with a nice finish across Misciur, while Gordon received treatment at the other end of the pitch on his right knee.
Thankfully it was just a minor knock, though, and the 21-year-old was able to continue, later moving to the left wing to allow Kone-Doherty’s replacement, Carter Pinnington, to see out the match in midfield.
A comfortable win for the under-21s who have now scored four goals in successive games.
Liverpool U21s: Misciur; Pitt, Lucky, Nallo, Ewing (Davidson 46′); Laffey (Onanuga 74′), Pilling; Morrison, Gordon, Kone-Doherty (Pinnington 90′); Figueroa
Subs not used: Poytress, Kelly
Next Match: Real Madrid U19s (H) – UEFA Youth League – Tuesday, November 4, 3pm (GMT)
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