Coming up through the youth ranks at Liverpool isn’t for everyone. It takes patience, dedication, and maybe a bit of good fortune.
As aggressive as Liverpool have been on the transfer market of late, the need to develop young talent will always remain a key activity at the club.
Last summer, the Reds were hesitant to sign a left-winger, prioritising Rio Ngumoha’s pathway into the first team.
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We have seen players like Curtis Jones, Conor Bradley and Trent Alexander-Arnold receive similar treatment, and now another young Red could get that chance after almost leaving the club just months ago.
Calvin Ramsay is happy he stayed at Liverpool
Calvin Ramsay was a forgotten man at Liverpool. Having joined the club as an 18-year-old, nearly four years later he still hasn’t broken into the first team at Anfield. That stretch has included four loan spells and consistent injury problems.
His Liverpool fortunes are likely about to change, with Bradley out for the rest of the season.
Liverpool have limited options at right-back now, and Ramsay is ready to make an impact after seriously considering a summer departure.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, he explains: “I spoke with my agent and the club at the start of the season and, off the back of the loans that I’ve had, the best solution was to stay around the club here, play with the U21s, get back to full fitness and get opportunities with the first team like I’ve got.
“I’ve trained with them, played against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. That was the plan, really, and I think it’s worked out perfectly because I feel fit, I feel good training with the first team and hopefully it puts me in a good position now.”
Where should Calvin Ramsay now rank in Liverpool’s right-back options?
Conor Bradley won’t play again this term…
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Ramsay was being tipped for a January loan, however, that was before one of our two first-team right-backs was sidelined indefinitely.
Now, the door is open for him to impress and earn more minutes in under Arne Slot.
Ramsay won’t start in the biggest games for Liverpool
It’s great to hear that Ramsay still has ambitions of improving his standing at Liverpool, but he will very much be looked at as a backup.
That’s due to the outstanding form of Jeremie Frimpong, his main competition.
When he signed for Liverpool, we knew how good Frimpong was going forward. He has started to excel in the final third, and has even been used as an attacker.
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But what’s surprising about the former Leverkusen star is that he hasn’t looked out of his depth defensively. That was a concern considering his role under Xabi Alonso, but Frimpong has adapted to a back four and defends with tenacity and effort.
That being said, Ramsay has the chance to challenge him and Joe Gomez for minutes. He’s certainly up for the challenge.