Liverpool: Forgotten £4.2m signing could be handed lifeline after surprise Arne Slot decision | OneFootball

Ramsay made his first Liverpool appearance in nearly three years against Crystal Palace

Calvin Ramsay was a surprise inclusion as Arne Slot rotated heavily for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup fourth-round loss to Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old has been out on loan in recent seasons, though wasn’t able to establish himself during spells with Preston, Bolton, Wigan or Kilmarnock.

With Jeremie Frimpong sidelined and Conor Bradley rested, Ramsay was handed a rare start for Liverpool against Palace on Wednesday night, operating as a right-wing back amid a change of shape from Slot.

Playing the full 90 minutes of the disappointing 3-0 defeat, it was the defender’s first outing for the Reds in nearly three years and he was one of few positives to emerge from the fixture.

“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,” Slot said in the post-match press conference.

“He played with composure. A decent-to-good game for him. And I said also afterwards 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.”

Calvin Ramsay made a shock Liverpool comeback earlier in the week

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Can Ramsay play in the Premier League for Liverpool?

Yes. At 22 years of age, Ramsay had to be registered in Liverpool’s Premier League squad in order to be eligible for selection and that is the case with the defender taking up one of the 17 non-’Home Grown Player’ (HGP) spots.

As a result, Ramsay is an option when the Reds welcome Aston Villa to Anfield on Saturday as they seek to end a run of four straight league defeats.

Liverpool currently have one senior natural right-back fit at the moment following reports Frimpong will be out of action for a further five weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the 5-1 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt.