Calvin Ramsay can’t wait to learn from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson after completing his move to Liverpool from Aberdeen.
The Scotland Under-21s international has joined the Reds in a deal which could be worth just over £6.5m following a breakthrough season in Scotland last year. Predominantly a right-back, the 18-year-old is also capable of playing in midfield.
And while he’s aware of the challenge he faces at Anfield with Alexander-Arnold ahead of him in the pecking order, he’s thinks playing alongside Liverpool ’s two full-backs will only improve him as a player.
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“Obviously I’m a right-back, pretty attacking. I like to attack. I’m okay defensively but my main attribute is attacking,” Ramsay said to the club when telling supporters what they could expect from him. “I can put good crosses in. I like to get shots in, both feet, cutting inside or going down the line, linking up with my winger.
“I’m quite versatile. I started off in midfield when coming through Aberdeen’s academy and then I got moved out to right-back. First game was against Chelsea in a tournament. It was a difficult game to go right-back for but I did well and I’ve played right-back ever since. I can play a few positions, can play right-back, centre-midfield, right-wing. Anywhere really.
“He’s (Alexander-Arnold) a massive player, he’s been brilliant so far. I watched him all of last season. Just the way he plays, I think it’s almost similar to me the way he attacks.
“We’re both still young but he’s an unreal player so to be coming in here and learning off him, it’s amazing for me. I’m going to learn a lot. It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be a challenge but it’s one I’m up for and hopefully I can go and challenge to get into the starting XI.
I’ll learn a lot from him (Robertson) as well. He’s Scottish so I’ve seen a lot of him at Liverpool and Scotland. I’ll be looking to learn off him, he’s a great full-back. I can look forward to coming in and learning off players like that. I need to learn a bit more defensively and I can learn a lot from them two.
“Being in here everyday with, not just him but all the players. There’s Fabio and Darwin who have just signed. There’s top players here, I know that. They’re top professionals and I’m going to learn a lot and become a better player.
“It’ll be a bit nerve-wracking to start with but once I get used to the boys and settle in, it’ll be brilliant and I’m looking forward to it.”
After impressing at Aberdeen, speculation linking Ramsay with a potential transfer was persistent over the past season. And with the young Scot aware of links with Liverpool, he admitted as soon as he heard the Reds were interested, they were the only club he was interested in joining.
“Because I’d done well at Aberdeen there was a lot of speculation, especially in January, but as soon as I heard the speculation from Liverpool, I just wanted to get it done,” he said. “I knew that’s the club that I wanted to go to. Finally we’re here, we managed to get it done and I’m buzzing. Over the moon to be here and I can’t wait to meet the fans, get started and show everyone what I can do.
“I support Liverpool. It’s a massive club and it’s an unbelievable feeling to be here. I know I’m a defender but I quite liked Luis Suarez when he was here. I thought he was brilliant. He was a big one, obviously Steven Gerrard as well. He was a legend here. Hopefully I can go on and make my mark as well.
“I’m quite calm. I’m calm and composed on the pitch. Because I’d done well at Aberdeen, I knew the speculation would come. I’m just buzzing and it’s a dream come true really to be here.
“It was a dream come true to play for Aberdeen, and now to be at one of the biggest, if not the biggest club in the world, it’s a massive achievement and I’m looking forward to trying to show the fans what I’ve got.
“Hopefully I can come in in pre-season, show everyone at the club, the staff, players what I’ve got and then we’ll see what happens from there.”
Now having put pen-to-paper at Anfield, Ramsay is itching to meet manager Jurgen Klopp for the first time and can’t wait to make his maiden appearance at Anfield.
“I’m very excited, he’s a top guy,” he said of his new manager. “I’ve seen his hugs on telly so hopefully I’ll get one of them. He’s a top manager, one of the best ever. It’ll be special to work with him and I’m looking forward to meeting him.
“There’s been a lot of young players that have played – the likes of Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Harvey [Elliott] as well, there’s a lot more. There’s obviously a pathway here – that’s one of the reasons I chose it as well.
“It’s not just a massive club, they give young players chances in the first team. So if I can come in in pre-season, put my mark down, then there’s no reason why I can’t push to get in the first-team squad.
“Just to make my debut would be special but the more appearances, the better. The main thing is to get on that pitch at Anfield, try to put my marker down and show everyone what I’ve got. Hopefully I can do that.”
