Liverpool once again put on a poor display against Crystal Palace, but the youngsters gave it their best efforts.
The Reds were a much-changed side from any of their games this season as they were sent packing out of the EFL Cup by Crystal Palace 3-0 at Anfield.
Arne Slot decided that it was the perfect opportunity to play a team and a bench made up of a majority of Liverpool academy players, with three games against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City all to come.
However, it felt as if Slot had put these players in a no-win situation, given that Palace were going to field a team that was at practically full strength, so the young lads had nothing to be ashamed about.
There were, however, some bright spots among this team that caught the eye, and if anything, offered the Dutchman solutions to his ever-growing list of injury problems in the first team.
Calvin Ramsay’s performance offers Arne Slot a Jeremie Frimpong solution
One place in the squad where there have been numerous issues this season has been the right-back position, with Conor Bradley not at his best and Jeremie Frimpong injured once again this season.
The Dutch full-back has found himself on the sidelines after a hamstring injury in the Champions League against Eintracht Frankfurt early in the first half.
After watching the Carabao Cup game, it is clear to see that Calvin Ramsay is the player to offer the coach a solution to this current injury by having him as a rotation option for Bradley over the next few weeks.
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On the ball, it was clear to see the Scotsman’s technical ability and composure as he carried the team forward at times while still being an assured head in the backline.
Ramsay made four clearances, seven recoveries, and won the majority of both his aerial and ground duels. Those defensive statistics clearly show what he can offer if given his opportunity.
While the 22-year-old has been playing regularly in the under-21s set-up, on the Liverpool website, he is listed as a first-team player, which makes him an available option for Slot if he so wishes.
It is not to say he should be a guaranteed starter; instead, something to alleviate the pressure of Frimpong’s latest injury to give this side a better chance of shoring up the defence.
Calvin Ramsay should make an appearance vs Aston Villa
This weekend would be the perfect opportunity to give him a chance with the schedule of games coming up.
The Villa game comes a few days before the Madrid match, which will be one that fans will be dreading with this run of form.
Starting with Bradley at the weekend is the obvious choice; however, with that huge game against Los Blancos on Wednesday, Ramsay has to be brought on to give the Northern Irish player another rest.
It will be a choice that could really make a difference for the fitness of his starting full-back for a match that is of significance to the player and fans.
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