Liverpool youngster Keyrol Figueroa is making the most of his first taste of senior football, with the striker enjoying an impressive start to life on loan at League Two side Port Vale.

Now with four goals in his last five appearances after a first international strike against Jamaica earlier this season, the 20-year-old is making his mark for both club and country following a deadline-day switch to the Staffordshire outfit.

In a sit-down exclusive interview with Dan, Figueroa discusses the decision to join Port Vale, the influence of his family, the challenges of adapting to senior football and the support he has received from Liverpool.

He also opens up about his ambitions with Honduras, his development as a striker and the long-term dream of having an impact Anfield…

On the loan so far: “I’m enjoying it. It’s been really good. The experience has been something I’ll never forget. At the beginning of my career, it’s been a really positive time so far, and I’ve been enjoying it.

“Coming back from international duty and scoring for my country, I think everyone has seen the shift in mentality and confidence. It’s the belief that I’ve always had, and I’m just grateful that I got the opportunity. I can now continue to show what I can do.”

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On choosing Port Vale: “I had chats with a few clubs, but what really sold me was that the manager came onto the call. We went into detail about the statistics, what he believed was best for the team and the impact he thought I could have.

“It wasn’t just that, though. It was also about being able to learn and improve other aspects of my game. I think that was what sold me in the end.

“Obviously, it was tough coming in right at the end of the deadline, but I had to make it work. Right now, I feel like I am.”

On learning off experienced strikers in the squad: “I’m always picking everyone’s brains and asking questions. I feel that’s the most important part of going out on loan: not only gaining experience but learning from it as well.

“I feel that’s been a big factor in my career so far, and it’s been really good.”

On the relationship with Port Vale fans: “I think the fans are enjoying my effort, and I just want to keep giving goals back to them.

“I’ve been scoring and helping the team win games, and I just want to keep building on the connection I have with the team, the coaches and the players. It’s been really good.”

On what Liverpool want from the loan: “With Liverpool, there’s a system, and I feel I’ve ticked the boxes. I’ve been able to perform in the age groups and at youth level, but obviously the gap between the Under-21s and the first team is really big.

“For players who are in between, they have to go out on loan, get experience and show their qualities elsewhere.

“The conversations I’ve had with Liverpool about the loan have all been positive. Everyone’s been happy to see me playing, scoring and, ultimately, staying fit as well. The last thing they want is for me to pick up an injury and have to start all over again.

“They’ve been keeping tabs on me and making sure I’m all good, so it’s been really positive.”

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On the dialogue with Liverpool whilst on loan: “It’s mostly after every game.

“Obviously, they know they don’t need to be on top of me all the time. They know I’m a mature young player and that I can go out there and handle different types of situations. That’s what they’ve asked me to do, so I’m just giving my best.”

On guidance from his dad: “Actually, my mum is the first person I call, but she’s never far away from my dad, so it’s both of them!

“My dad has been a big part of my career so far, and all the decisions we make, we make as a family.

“He’s always proud to see me play. I know how much it meant to me when I was a kid going to watch his games and following him everywhere. That’s what I was as a kid: I was his follower.

“But now the roles are reversed. He has to travel for hours to come and watch me, or get on a flight to follow me when I’m away on international duty. Now he knows how it feels to be on the other side of it!

“It’s been a really good, positive relationship between me and my dad so far.”

On his development so far on loan: “Yeah, I feel like I’m starting to understand more of the game.

“Obviously, the game itself hasn’t changed for me because I knew I could do these things. I know I can be lethal in the box, hold up the ball and support the play.

“It’s just about being able to showcase that a bit more. I feel I had to get the numbers out there, gain the experience and let people see what I’m capable of.”

On the differences from academy to senior football: “It’s the physicality. I went from playing with 18- and 19-year-olds to playing against men who have children!

“I feel that’s been the major part of it: the physicality. But every game is also on the line. There are three points at stake, and there’s the possibility of relegation or promotion, so there’s more to fight for.

“There’s pressure from the fans and from the board as well. It’s all real, you know what I mean? It’s more real, and I’m enjoying that aspect because it means my work pays off and means more.”

On role models at Liverpool and beyond: “The quality of the players (Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suarez and Alexander Isak) you’ve just mentioned is incredible, but I feel I’ve got my own game to show.

“Those players have gone through so many different stages and have been able to play abroad and experience different things. I feel like I’m taking that same type of step, just finding my way into football.

“Now I’m watching Alexander Isak on a Saturday or Sunday, seeing how he moves and the movement he has. I’m trying to replicate that in my own way in this league.

“I still watch football, and I’m always looking at the players and learning from them.”

On the pride of representing his nation: “Representing Honduras is really, really massive.

“Obviously, in my culture and my family, people are really close to me because they know how much it means. Seeing my brother, my dad and me all representing the same national team is special.

“It was a proud moment when I first played against Argentina, and then being able to continue that and play in CONCACAF competitions and tournaments.

“I want to keep building on that. I want to use those experiences and be able to come back home and perform. When the World Cup qualifiers come around, we’re going to give it a shot and try our best.”

On the World Cup dream: “100 per cent. I’ve seen my dad do it, and I’ve seen how it affected our country and the people around me. That’s one of the reasons I switched in the first place. The end goal is to be able to play on the biggest stage.

“When they called me up, it was a great responsibility, and I want to take it in the most positive way possible.

“Obviously, players can look at the situation and think it’s tough, especially considering where Honduras are now compared to a couple of years ago. They haven’t been able to dominate the United States, Canada and Mexico in the way they once did.

“When you look at their history, they were a really powerful Central American team. That’s what they want to get back to, and I want to help them do that.”

On targets for the future: “I’ve always had goals for myself. I always set targets.

“Right now, I’ve taken things step by step. I want to finish with around 10 goals by the end of the half-season, and then continue to build on that.

“But it’s not just about goals. It’s about playing at a high level and showing that I’m available and capable of playing, not just for Liverpool but for clubs everywhere.

“My ultimate dream is obviously to be a star at Liverpool. If I take it day by day and play game by game, I want to keep progressing in my career.”

A huge thank you to Keyrol for his time and to Port Vale for being so accommodating