If Calvin Ramsay was still under any illusions about the size of the club he joined in June, then they were dispelled on a warm Sunday evening out in Dubai.
A total of 14,851 packed into the relatively modest Al Maktoum Stadium over the weekend to watch Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in action against Lyon in an exhibition competition known as the Dubai Super Cup and it's fair to say the French side's support was dwarfed by the mix of locals and expats who were there to cheer on their heroes in red.
For Ramsay, it was an eye-opener to the sheer scale of Liverpool FC. Seeing such passionate support nearly 4,500 miles away from Merseyside is likely nothing new to the slew of seniors out in the United Arab Emirates, but for the teenage defender, it just further hammered home why the Reds are known as one of the most well-supported football clubs on earth. The scenes were also entirely new for Ramsay after he had missed the pre-season trip to Thailand and Singapore through injury.
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"It's been brilliant here in Dubai!" Rasmay tells the ECHO in an exclusive post-match chat after Sunday's 3-1 defeat. "I think everyone knows how big Liverpool is, but coming to the stadium and seeing all the fans here to support us the way they have is brilliant. We appreciate everyone who has come out."
Such events are part and parcel of being a first-team member of Liverpool's squad, of course, and that is something Ramsay is becoming more accustomed to as his fledgling career goes on.
Having made his senior debut for Aberdeen in March 2021, Liverpool were alerted to Ramsay's talents during a strong campaign last season when he made 39 appearances in total. With the Reds' assortment of full-backs also needing to produce plenty in attacking areas, one of the elements that made scouts sit up and take note was his numbers in the final third. The young Scot chipped in with nine assists and one goal in total.
It's just one Liverpool start so far, however, following that £4.2m switch, although Ramsay will have known full well that Trent Alexander-Arnold is the undisputed first choice at Anfield on the right side of the defence.
Ramsay was not necessarily signed to immediately provide intense competition for Liverpool's No.66, but rather help alleviate his colleague's workload with appearances in domestic cup competitions for now. At the age of 19, though, there is ample room to develop, improve and eventually challenge the vaunted Alexander-Arnold regularly.
"It's been good so far," he says of Liverpool life. "I came down with my girlfriend and I've obviously only been here a couple of months but I've enjoyed it. We're settling in and get used to things now."
The initial few weeks of Ramsay's time on Merseyside were, by his own admission, frustrating. An injury was detected in his medical meaning he was forced to miss the pre-season tour that Klopp, in particular, puts so much stock into with regards to creating a base-level fitness for the gruelling season ahead.
As a result, Ramsay was forced to bide his time and ease back to full fitness. Appearances in the Papa John's Trophy against Accrington and Everton in the 'mini derby' were welcome outings before he finally made his belated debut as a late substitute in the 2-0 win against Napoli in the Champions League on November 1. He followed that up with an enterprising performance in the penalty shootout win over Derby County in the Carabao Cup eight days later at Anfield, playing for the full 90 minutes.
"I had no idea I was injured when I signed," Ramsay says. "I felt fine, went away on holiday and then signed for Liverpool and they found it in the scans in the medical, so it was a bit frustrating but I just had to get on with it. I had to work hard in the gym, get on with it and try to show what I could when I was back."
Klopp has used both Joe Gomez and James Milner as deputies to Alexander-Arnold in recent years and given that neither player would point to the full-back role as their position of choice, there is a spot up for grabs in the Liverpool squad to become the specialist understudy in that area of the pitch.
A cursory glance around Klopp's squad provides plenty of evidence for the manager's unshakable trust in young players. At 19, Harvey Elliott is becoming a Premier League star in Liverpool's midfield, while Alexander-Arnold has developed into one of Europe's most accomplished right-backs during his time in the first team.
Elsewhere, 20-year-old Fabio Carvalho was signed for the long term from Fulham, while teenagers Stefan Bajcetic and Bobby Clark have earned themselves Premier League minutes under Klopp. The message is clear: age is no barrier at Liverpool, if you are good enough.
Ramsay says: "I was injured when I came down but obviously I am back now, I've played a few games and got a few minutes under my belt, so it's just about being here, enjoying being with the boys, training hard and kicking on from here, pushing on."
If Ramsay is studiously watching Alexander-Arnold for areas to improve his own game, the incumbent at left-back is equally as notable as someone to learn from. As Scotland captain and someone who left his country at a young age to forge a career in English football, there is much for Ramsay to admire in Andy Robertson.
The Scotland skipper has taken his young compatriot under his wing since Ramsay signed for the club, helping him settle into what is known to be a particularly close-knit group of players.
As the conversation turns to Robertson, Ramsay says: "He's been good with me to be fair. He's been giving me a little bit of stick, but also helping me out when he can.
"Obviously he's Scottish as well, so I think he knows exactly what it was like coming through as a youngster at my age. So he tried to give me little pointers and tips where he can and I appreciate that.
"He's someone I can learn from and look up to, definitely because when I am not playing I can watch him and Trent as well, obviously, on my side, to see what they can do, improve on and add to my game."
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