Arne Slot decided Liverpool star 'was not ready' despite ridiculous injury crisis

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There has been a clamor from Liverpool fans at times this season for Calvin Ramsay to come into the team, but Arne Slot seemingly remains unconvinced by the full-back

Arne Slot is yet to use Calvin Ramsay in the Premier League(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

Arne Slot reportedly decided long ago that youngster Calvin Ramsay was not ready to make the step up to Liverpool's first team.

Ramsay turns 23 this summer but is yet to make his Premier League debut for the Reds, four years on from joining the club from Aberdeen as a highly rated teenager.

Most recently, Ramsay was overlooked for the Merseyside derby – despite Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley being unavailable through injury. Curtis Jones started against Everton, and The Athletic reports that it was decided by Slot a while ago that Ramsay and other youngsters aren't ready to step up to the big leagues.

That seems like an ominous sign for Ramsay, particularly considering his age and contract situation — the Scot's current deal at Anfield will expire at the end of next season.

There was significant clamor for Ramsay to start earlier this season in the weeks following the injury Bradley sustained against Arsenal, but Slot gave short shrift to a question about whether the youngster would play during a press conference in February.

“I think in general if you don’t win a game, the players who are not playing become the best players in the squad,” Slot said when asked about Ramsay’s chances as the only natural right-back available before atrip to Sunderland.

“That is the same I think everywhere in the world. So if the players who are starting are not winning, then the manager could have always better chosen another one.

Calvin Ramsay is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

“I think this is an example of this as well. I just want to protect all my players. I’ve chosen other players until now and that’s also what I’m going to do tomorrow.”

Ramsay was an unused substitute against Sunderland – as he has been on 16 other occasions in the Premier League this season – but Slot is yet to call on him to come on.

Ramsay has made a total of four appearances for Liverpool in other competitions, starting a couple of EFL Cup games, and making substitute appearances in the Champions League and the FA Cup.

Meanwhile, perennial fitness concern Gomez could return to Liverpool's squad this weekend after missing the 2-1 win over Everton.

Gomez has struggled to stay fit over the last couple of seasons, and he continues to be linked with a move away after interest – particularly from AC Milan and Newcastle – failed to materialize into a transfer over the last couple of years.