Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Liverpool U21 3-4 Cardiff City U21: Keyrol Figueroa scored twice but Cardiff's first-half blitz secured a pre-season win at the AXA Training Centre.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryLiverpool U21 3-4 Cardiff City U21: Figueroa double not enough as Bluebirds hold on in seven-goal thriller
Liverpool U21s fell to a 4-3 defeat against Cardiff City U21 in a seven-goal pre-season friendly at the AXA Training Centre on Saturday — a game that turned on a blistering first-half display from the Welsh visitors who scored three times inside 45 minutes.
Liverpool's young Reds found themselves 3-0 down at the interval after Cardiff capitalised on set-pieces and a moment of individual quality. Thierry Katsukunya and Caden Voice both headed in from corners inside the opening eight minutes, before Cody Twose added a third with a long-range strike before the break.
The home side, fielding a squad missing several regulars away on the senior team's pre-season tour in the United States, showed more purpose after half-time. Keyrol Figueroa reduced the deficit with a clinical finish in the 55th minute, offering a route back into the contest.
Cardiff quickly extinguished the momentum when Jake Davies restored the three-goal cushion, but Liverpool refused to fold. Figueroa produced a brilliant volley for his second of the afternoon, and Lucas Pitt headed in moments later to make it 4-3 with time still on the clock.
The Reds pushed for a late equaliser. Isaac Mabaya — making his return from injury alongside Wellity Lucky — delivered a teasing cross into the Cardiff box in the dying moments, but no Liverpool player could get on the end of it.
How it unfolded
Cardiff's fast start caught Liverpool cold. Katsukunya and Voice both rose highest to meet corner deliveries, putting the Bluebirds 2-0 up with less than eight minutes played. Twose's strike from distance before half-time left the hosts with a mountain to climb.
Figueroa's 55th-minute finish gave Liverpool hope, but Davies' goal appeared to kill the contest. The USA youth international Figueroa had other ideas, producing a stunning volley to make it 4-2, before Pitt's header turned the game into a grandstand finish. Mabaya's late cross was the final chance, but it went unconverted.
The turning point
Cardiff's first-half dominance — specifically the two early set-piece goals — effectively decided the game. Liverpool's second-half fightback made the scoreline respectable, but the 3-0 half-time deficit was too steep a climb despite scoring three times after the break.
Key performers
Keyrol Figueroa (Liverpool U21) — The USA youth striker was the standout player on the pitch. His two goals (a clinical finish and a brilliant volley) dragged Liverpool back into the game almost single-handedly. Player of the match.
Thierry Katsukunya & Caden Voice (Cardiff City U21) — Both defenders got on the scoresheet from corners inside the opening eight minutes, setting the tone for Cardiff's first-half dominance.
Isaac Mabaya (Liverpool U21) — Made a welcome return from injury and provided the game's final chance with a dangerous cross that deserved a finishing touch.
By the numbers — interpreted
The 4-3 scoreline reflects a game of two distinct halves. Cardiff's 3-0 lead at the break came from ruthless efficiency — two set-piece headers and a long-range strike — while Liverpool's 3-0 second-half response shows their ability to create chances when trailing. The seven total goals, in a pre-season friendly, underline the attacking intent from both sides and the defensive vulnerabilities that will be addressed before the competitive season begins.
What it means
This was the fifth pre-season fixture for Cardiff City U21 under Darren Purse's management, following matches against Poole Town, Bath City, Yeovil Town, Chelsea U21 and Torquay United. They face Fulham U21 at home on 8 August in their final pre-season outing (kick-off 2pm).
For Liverpool U21, this was their first pre-season friendly of the 2026-27 campaign. Several players — including Mabaya and Lucky — gained valuable minutes on their return from injury. The young Reds are next in action against Bromley on 5 August (7:45pm KO).
Verdict
A chaotic pre-season friendly that told you more about Cardiff's first-half efficiency and Liverpool's second-half resilience than any final verdict. Figueroa's double was the highlight, but Cardiff's ruthless start — particularly from set-pieces — was the difference. Plenty of work ahead for both sides before the competitive season begins.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 1 Aug 2026