Who is Calvin Ramsay? The perfect understudy for Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool
If Scotland can do anything well at the moment, it's produce a good full-back. Andrew Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Nathan Patterson all ply their trade in the Premier League for Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, respectively, though the latter is yet to make his league debut for the Toffees following his January arrival from Rangers.
Nevertheless, the Tartan Army are well stocked on both the right and left for the foreseeable future and it could be that another young full-back is set to move south of the border this summer. Aberdeen struggled in the Scottish Premiership last season, yet Calvin Ramsay evidently did enough to convince Liverpool to make a move for the teenager.
He won the Scottish Football Writers’ Association’s young player of the year award back in April and his solid showings for the Dons means the Reds are rumoured to be preparing a £4m bid for Ramsay. Liverpool have sought to bolster the youth ranks this summer with Fabio Carvalho and Ben Doak joining from Fulham and Celtic, respectively, and that trend is set to continue with their pursuit of the 18-year-old.
While he wouldn't come in as first choice at right-back, with Trent Alexander-Arnold unlikely to lose his spot in the side anytime soon unless injured or rested by head coach Jurgen Klopp, Ramsay has a similar attacking threat that means he'd make for a solid stand in if required. In addition, the latter would be learning the tricks of the trade from one of the best forward-thinking full-backs in the game, which would help the young full-back truly realise his full potential.
A season of being starting right-back for Aberdeen certainly aided his development with the increase in game time vital for a young player seeking to establish himself. Like Alexander-Arnold for Liverpool, a key aspect of Ramsay's game has been the attacking outlet he provides for Aberdeen down their right flank. Indeed, only James Tavernier (111) and Scott Tanser (52) ended the campaign with more key passes than Ramsay (42) of all defenders in the Scottish Premiership last season.
And like Alexander-Arnold, Ramsay isn't against getting the ball into the opposition box when the opportunity does present itself. A return of 6.3 crosses per game was the fifth most in Scotland's top tier last term, while a cross success rate of 26.3% ranked 28th of the 65 players to have attempted 50 or more crosses in the division in 2021/22. There is clear room for improvement, but it's a decent foundation to build upon and if Alexander-Arnold's developments under Klopp is anything to go by, Ramsay would be in the right place to hone the attacking side to his game.
At this stage, it's a case of sharpening his strengths, which are tailormade to playing for this Liverpool side, and ironing out any weaknesses. The onus is for the full-backs to get up field as frequently as possible to maximise the space vacated by the inverted wingers, and when you consider Ramsay's best quality is a willingess to get forward as frequently as possible, he'd suit playing under Klopp.
As an understudy to Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool perhaps couldn't ask for a better option. He'll be a huge loss for Aberdeen, that goes without saying, but the reported £4m fee can be used to improve a squad that struggled last season. For Liverpool, though, they'll have an able deputy at right-back with plenty of potential to readily step in where possible that won't impact their attacking approach.
