The ex-Aberdeen and Kilmarnock right-back was handed an unexpected SOS on Wednesday night
Calvin Ramsay in action for Liverpool(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
It was another dire night at the office for crisis-hit Liverpool as their Carabao Cup journey ended with a dismal 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace.
The fallen Premier League champions tumbled out of the League Cup on Wednesday as a second-string team – including Andy Robertson at CENTRE-BACK – crashed to a heavy defeat.
Incredibly, it was the Reds’ sixth loss in seven games as their campaign continues to spiral out of control following an alarming drop-off in form.
The only shining light from another forgettable performance was the re-emergence of Scotland starlet Calvin Ramsay.
Ramsay, 22, was handed a shock recall just under three years since his last appearance for the Anfield giants.
The former Aberdeen kid was thrown in at right-back, with Slot depleted of options after Jeremie Frimpong’s injury left Conor Bradley as the only other senior option.
Bradley was wrapped in cotton wool for the visit of the Eagles, with Ramsay stepping up from the Under-21s to make only his third appearance for Liverpool since his £4.2million switch in 2022.
And despite shipping three goals, he was one of only a few who earned pass marks after an impressive individual display.
The defender – who spent last season on loan with Kilmarnock – was the most fouled player on the pitch (five) and also made the most recoveries (seven), winning 6/9 duels.
Ramsay also completed 41/50 of his attempted passes and earned the plaudits from his manager Slot.
The Dutchman said: “I think Calvin had a very, very decent performance. Calm on the ball. I don’t know if I said it over here but [in] the first half-hour, I think we had better chances than them actually and he was part of that.
“He played with composure. A decent-to-good game for him.
“And I said also afterwards [to Calvin and Kieran Morrison] if you make your debut after a 3-0 loss, you might feel very, very disappointed – but the two of you can be quite happy with the way you’ve played in your first time here at Anfield.”
Liverpool fans were equally impressed by Ramsay’s comeback game, with one punter raving: “He was the best player on the pitch last night, seems like he’s the best RB at the club atm.”
Another commented: “First time I’ve seen Calvin Ramsay play football in 3 years and he looks like our best right back and I’m not even exaggerating.”
One other added: “This is exactly the performance that puts you instantly into contention as the starting RB for Liverpool. Calvin Ramsay was everything Liverpool have been missing at RB this season. Omnidirectional with his two-footedness, strong in his duelling & comfortable progressor.”