Calvin Ramsay signed for Liverpool in June 2022 but has endured a nightmare two years since making the move from Aberdeen to Anfield.
Calvin Ramsay is on a mission to turn his fortunes around during his loan spell at Wigan Athletic, following a challenging two-year stint with Liverpool.
The Reds snapped up the promising 21-year-old from Aberdeen for a potential £6.5m back in June 2022 after he impressed in the Scottish Premiership. However, since his move to Anfield, Ramsay’s journey has been fraught with misfortune.
A stress fracture in his back was discovered during his medical, and a knee injury requiring surgery in February 2023 cut his first season with Liverpool short. A loan to Preston North End in the Championship was marred by injuries and a bout of Covid-19, leading to an early recall after just two outings.
Another loan to League One’s Bolton Wanderers didn’t fare much better, with Ramsay making only four appearances. Now with Wigan in League One, he’s clocked up three games so far and even started as a right-winger for Scotland’s Under-21s against Spain last Friday.
Ramsay acknowledges the difficulties he’s faced since joining Liverpool but is eager to demonstrate his resilience, silence the doubters, and catch the eye of Liverpool’s new head coach Arne Slot, proving his worth and the reason behind his signing.
“It has been tough but I feel I’ve come back more resilient,” Ramsay reflects. “When I signed for Liverpool, everything was going great for me. My career was on an upward trajectory.
“So when you suddenly get a setback it’s tough to deal with. I was buzzing, then when that hits you it’s like: ‘Oh no, what’s happening here?’
“But I have a burning desire to get back to where I was when I signed for Liverpool and show people what I can do. A couple of managers haven’t given me game time so I want to prove why I should have been playing in their team.
“Any player wants to prove people wrong and show why you got that big move to a huge club. That’s what I have to do now.
“Obviously Jurgen (Klopp) has left Liverpool and the new gaffer (Slot) has come in. So I have to start again. So far I haven’t been able to show him what I’ve got yet as I’m out on loan.
“But there will be a time when I’m back at Liverpool working under him and showing what I can do on the pitch.”
It’s no small feat to bounce back from injury setbacks, especially when you’re young and hungry to prove your worth following a high-profile transfer.
Dealing with injuries, the former Red prodigy didn’t hold back his ambitions. He opened up about the mental challenges of his journey, his fervent aspirations, and the direct mentorship he received from ex-boss Klopp at a crucial juncture.
Ramsay opened his heart about his struggle with fitness issues, his unwavering motivation to demonstrate his abilities, and the personal guidance from Jurgen Klopp that gave him the lift he needed during a pivotal moment.
“He told me Liverpool weren’t going anywhere and reminded me that I had a long-term contract. He told me to get myself right and when I was, Liverpool would still be there for me. That was so good to hear – and something I really needed to hear.
“It was reassuring and gave me that bit of confidence back. I knew that if I just did what I had to do in the next period of my career I’d be back showing him what I could do.”
Of course, it’s not just Klopp who has helped Ramsay over the past two seasons. Compatriot Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate have all aided the young defender too, with the 21-year-old, while staying patient, now determined to make up for lost time and kickstart his Liverpool career from afar courtesy of his loan switch to Wigan.
“Andy has been big for me as well, being Scottish,” he said. “When I first signed for Liverpool he really looked after me. He knew what it was like getting a big move here.”
“He left Celtic as a kid and had to go down the leagues before joining Hull then Liverpool. So he knew exactly what I was going through after I’d moved from Aberdeen. He told me what it was like for him and I’ll always appreciate what he did for me.”
“I’ve spoken to a few of the boys about my situation, guys like Trent and even Ibrahima, another young player in the squad. I get on well with him and he’s always giving me little pieces of advice.”
“I need to take bits from everyone and use it to my benefit. I’m still only 21. Because I was playing at 17 and 18 years old, but then haven’t had as many games in the last two years, it feels like I’m a lot older than I am.”
“I need to remember that I’ve got a 15-year-plus career ahead of me. At the same time I know it’s important to play as many games as I can this season.”