Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a brutally honest assessment of Calvin Ramsay's prospects, confirming the Scottish defender will not feature against Sunderland despite the Reds' mounting injury crisis at right-back. The Dutch boss made his position unequivocally clear during a press conference ahead of Wednesday's Premier League fixture, leaving little room for speculation about the 22-year-old's immediate future.
Defensive Dilemma Deepens for Liverpool
Liverpool face significant selection headaches as they prepare for their midweek trip to the Stadium of Light. First-choice right-back Jeremie Frimpong and his deputy Conor Bradley are both sidelined through injury, while stand-in option Dominik Szoboszlai serves a suspension. Centre-back Giovanni Leoni adds to the defensive concerns, and although Joe Gomez might return from his own fitness issues, his availability remains uncertain.
This leaves Calvin Ramsay as the only fit, specialist right-back in Liverpool's senior squad. The Scotland international, signed from Aberdeen in 2022 for just over £4 million during Jurgen Klopp's tenure, has made merely three first-team appearances for the Reds and has yet to make his Premier League debut. Despite this apparent opportunity, Slot's comments suggest Ramsay's wait will continue.
Slot's Candid Explanation
When questioned about Ramsay's potential involvement, Slot offered a revealing insight into his selection philosophy. 'In general if you don’t win a game, the players who aren’t playing become the best players in the squad,' Slot stated. 'That’s the same everywhere in the world. This is an example of that as well. I just want to protect all my players. I’ve chosen other players until now and that’s also what I’m going to do tomorrow.'
These remarks highlight Slot's preference for continuity and his reluctance to alter his established pecking order, even amidst an injury crisis. The manager's blunt assessment underscores the challenging situation facing Ramsay, who has spent much of his Liverpool career on loan at clubs including Preston, Bolton, Wigan, and Kilmarnock.
Alternative Options Explored
Slot indicated he would consider other solutions before turning to Ramsay. He mentioned Joe Gomez's potential return, noting 'Joe hasn’t trained with us yet. I’m expecting him today for the first time.' Should Gomez prove unavailable, Slot revealed midfielders Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo could deputise in the right-back position.
'Indeed, if Joe is not ready to start then we are missing four players who have played right-back,' Slot explained. 'Curtis and Wata played in this position so had six different right full-backs.' This flexibility demonstrates Slot's willingness to adapt, yet Ramsay remains conspicuously absent from these contingency plans.
Ramsay's Frustrating Season
The 2025-26 campaign has proven particularly frustrating for Ramsay. He has been named on the bench eleven times in the Premier League, including during Sunday's defeat to Manchester City at Anfield, but has remained an unused substitute on every occasion. This pattern of inclusion without participation suggests Slot views Ramsay as emergency cover rather than a genuine first-team option.
As Liverpool navigate their defensive shortages, Slot's comments paint a stark picture of Ramsay's standing within the squad. The manager's brutal honesty, while perhaps intended to protect the player from heightened expectations, simultaneously casts doubt on Ramsay's long-term prospects at Anfield. With the transfer window closed and injuries mounting, Slot's decision represents a significant vote of no confidence in the young defender's readiness for Premier League football.
