Liverpool star ready to step up after Conor Bradley injury as transfer decision vindicated

Calvin Ramsay is looking to push on after a frustrating three years following his move to Liverpool in 2022

Calvin Ramsay believes his decision to stay put at Liverpool last summer has already paid off. The Scotland international joined the Reds in an initial £4.2m deal from Aberdeen in the summer of 2022.

However, his time at Anfield has been plagued by injury and unsuccessful loan spells, with the right-back struggling to make an impact at Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Kilmarnock.

The 22-year-old made two appearances for Liverpool during his first season for the club. But it was a campaign curtailed by injury as a stress fracture in his back was picked up in his medical, instantly sidelining him, before his season came to a premature end following his return after he had to undergo surgery in February 2023.

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And while he had made 33 appearances for Aberdeen in an eye-catching 2021/22 season to earn his move to Anfield in the first place, Ramsay has since gone on to make just 30 senior outings for club and country over the past three and a half years.

He was handed his first Liverpool appearance in three years by Arne Slot when starting the Reds’ League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace back in October. Meanwhile, injuries across the Dutchman’s squad have also seen Ramsay included in seven Premier League matchday squads so far this season.

And having decided to stay put at Anfield last summer following talks with both his agent and the club, Ramsay feels he has already been vindicated by his decision as he looks to kick-start his career after a frustrating three years.

“I spoke with my agent and the club at the start of the season,” he said. “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.

“Obviously after a few loan spells where I didn’t play too much, to be back involved and training with the first team is good. It’s good for my development to be around world-class players.

“I had two knee injuries and didn’t play a lot when I was out on loan, but I’ve always believed in myself.

“I think that’s how I’m at this club in the first place. I’ve always believed in myself, knew what I can do and I just knew I need to keep working hard and when I got an opportunity, like the Palace game, to take it.

“I think I did take it, so hopefully I can just keep going and maybe get some more opportunities.”

Ramsay was an unused substitute for Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Barnsley on Monday night.

However, after Conor Bradley was ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury, the Scot is now one of two available right-backs in Slot’s squad along with Jeremie Frimpong.

Ramsay has enjoyed training with both players and is hungry to take any further first team opportunities that fall his way.

“Conor Bradley went to Bolton and I think he played 50-odd games, which is a lot,” he told the official matchday programme. “When I went there it didn’t quite go as planned, but I think every player has got a different career path. I just need to keep working hard and hopefully follow in his footsteps.

“Obviously Jeremie Frimpong is here now too and I think Conor and Frimpong are two completely different right-backs in the way they play.

“But to learn from them both and just pick little bits from their games can hopefully make me a better player.

“I’m sure it will, so hopefully I keep training with them for as long as I can and take my opportunity when it comes.”