Slot Delivers Ruthless Verdict on Liverpool's Right-Back Dilemma, Triggering First Summer Departure
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has reaffirmed his reluctance to give playing time to young defender Calvin Ramsay, even as he prepares for Wednesday's match against Sunderland without his primary four right-back options available.
Following Conor Bradley's season-ending knee injury in January, Slot maintained he had "superior alternatives" to the 22-year-old Ramsay at his disposal. However, he has subsequently lost first-choice starter Jeremie Frimpong to injury and backup option Dominik Szoboszlai to suspension. Joe Gomez, the adaptable squad player, is also dealing with an injury concern.
Ramsay, acquired for £6.5 million ($8.9 million) in 2022, appears to rank even lower than fifth in the hierarchy.
"Generally speaking, when you fail to win a match, the players sitting on the sidelines suddenly become the finest talents in the squad, and I believe this phenomenon exists worldwide," Slot commented when questioned about whether Ramsay, a natural right-back, should be utilized to solve the positional shortage.
"When the starting players aren't securing victories, then the coach could have always made a superior selection, and I consider this a prime example of that situation.
"I simply aim to shield all my players. I have selected different players up to this point, and that's precisely what I'll continue doing tomorrow."
Calvin Ramsay's Bleak Future Becomes Increasingly Clear
Calvin Ramsay's Dim Prospects Grow More Apparent
Expectations were elevated for Ramsay upon his Anfield arrival four years ago. A senior team debut in November 2022 indicated the young Scottish player was being groomed as Trent Alexander-Arnold's eventual successor, before surgery on an undisclosed injury kept him out for his entire debut campaign.
In his effort to reclaim his promising potential, Ramsay was dispatched on multiple loan spells, but these temporary arrangements failed dramatically to meet expectations. Since suffering that injury in early 2023, Ramsay has featured in merely 27 competitive fixtures across five different teams, with physical problems not considered the primary cause. One such appearance occurred under Slot's guidance, who was evidently dissatisfied with the performance during October's 3–0 Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace.
The right-back reaches 23 this year and requires match experience above all else. Under Slot's management, he has encountered a coach who possesses zero confidence in his present capabilities, ensuring those chances won't materialize and condemning him to reserve team duty.
Whether Slot's lack of trust in Ramsay is warranted remains difficult to determine. The Dutch manager is among the select few who observe him daily and will make choices he believes serve Liverpool's interests, not Ramsay's.
Irrespective of Slot's reasoning for his dismissive approach toward Ramsay, the Scottish prospect must depart. Anticipate all involved parties to welcome a summer move as he approaches his contract's final year.
Ramsay's primary challenge will involve securing a buyer willing to purchase him with twelve months remaining on his deal, considering his minimal senior football impact over the past three seasons. Compromises will be necessary, but virtually no alternative exists for Ramsay, whose career has encountered a devastating plateau requiring urgent intervention.
Who Will Start at Right Back for Liverpool Against Sunderland?
Who Will Feature at Right-Back for Liverpool Versus Sunderland?
Slot has pledged to employ innovative defensive solutions should Gomez fail a final fitness assessment, dismissing Ramsay while favoring an unconventional substitute.
"Joe hasn't participated in training with us yet," Slot revealed on Tuesday morning. "I anticipate his first training session with us today. Should Joe be unavailable to start, we'll be without four players who have featured in that role."
Given the Reds' severe defensive shortage—left-back Andy Robertson will likely represent the sole senior defensive option on the substitutes' bench—Slot will look toward his midfield personnel.
"Curtis [Jones] and Wata [Endo] have also operated in that position this season, giving us six different right full-backs throughout the year," he elaborated.
Jones possesses one right-back start this campaign—during November's heavy defeat to PSV Eindhoven, while Endo's sole experience came as a substitute for Frimpong last month. Nevertheless, both players are evidently viewed as stronger choices than Ramsay.
Federico Chiesa, a natural wing-back who saw limited action in that capacity during his Juventus tenure, appears to represent an emergency fallback option.