Liverpool are once again waking up on a Sunday morning with the stench of defeat hanging over them.
Last week it was Nottingham Forest, this week, Leeds United. Two old foes who have been consigned to struggling at the foot of the Premier League table.
Liverpool are in the business of handing out Halloween treats right now, though. Neither had won since August, and yet both managed to leave the Reds in their dust.
It’s clear that for Jurgen Klopp, something needs to change.
With too many of his first team stars struggling horribly, this change could come by looking to the academy. There, he will see 19-year-old Calvin Ramsay starting to find his feet at the club. With a shake-up needed, the young Scot should now come into the manager’s thinking.
Ramsay getting up to speed at Liverpool
It has been a horribly difficult start to life at Liverpool for summer signing Ramsay. Mirroring his new club’s struggles, the teenager has had setback after setback.
The fact that Bonfire Night is on the way and he’s still yet to feature for the first team will frustrate both he and Klopp.
But, thankfully, Ramsay looks to have now put the injury issues behind him. He made his first appearance, and scored his first goal, for the U21s a couple of weeks ago.
Back in action for the U21s again yesterday, the former Aberdeen youngster found the net again.
Time for a debut?
As per liverpoolfc.com, Ramsay played an hour of the Young Reds 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday. He bagged the third goal to put the game to bed.
Although scoring goals isn’t his primary job in the team, it shows that the right-back is settling in well. Two goals in three games suggests that he’s far too good for U21 level.
As a result, Klopp should start thinking about when he makes his first team bow. Trent Alexander-Arnold isn’t in the best form right now and Liverpool could perhaps do with some youthful exuberance in their turgid looking team.
Perhaps Tuesday evening’s game against Napoli is the perfect chance to throw Ramsay in. With qualification from their Champions League group already secured, Klopp should tinker with his team. There are plenty of players who could do with a rest right now, and Ramsay will be desperate to finally play.
It’s important that he isn’t given too much responsibility too early. But U21 coach Barry Lewtas called him ‘excellent’ for a reason. He’s looking the part for the underage squads, now is the right time to give him his senior bow.
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