2 weeks ago
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Liverpool's transfer dealings in the summer of 2022 won't be remembered as a standout window.
Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho, and Ben Doak have already moved on to new ventures, while the less said about Arthur Melo's loan stint, the better. However, there was another newcomer who has since slipped from the minds of fans: Calvin Ramsay, who arrived from Aberdeen.
The right-back has only made two appearances for Liverpool's first team, with the most recent nearly three years ago now. Following a series of underwhelming loan stints, Ramsay is currently working on rebooting his career. At just 22, he captained the side at Mornflake Stadium against a Crewe team hovering just outside the playoff spots in League Two.
In the first half, Ramsay spent periods primarily pushing forward and set up a chance for young striker Josh Sonni-Lambie. However, it was his short back-pass that led goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek to make a challenge that the referee controversially deemed a foul, allowing Emre Tezgel to give Crewe an 11th-minute lead.
Arne Slot would like to have Ramsay available for first-team selection again and ease a concern, as right-backs Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong have both suffered injuries during the opening months of the season. More depth at the back can only be a good thing for the Reds.
Trent flows again
Much like Ramsay, both Kaide Gordon and Rhys Williams will view the opening months of this season as an opportunity to gain much-needed regular playing time, while keeping an eye out for a potential loan move in January.
Gordon delivered a neat performance in the first half, although he missed one opportunity, but began to thrive when given more freedom at the start of the second half and was among those who tested Crewe goalkeeper Sam Waller. However, he did miss a significant chance for a consolation in the 89th minute.
Yet again this season, Liverpool's most potent threat came from Trent Kone-Doherty, who played for the Republic of Ireland U21s over the weekend.
The 19-year-old was a constant menace down the left flank, hitting the post with one shot and forcing a save with another. Having made his senior debut in the FA Cup loss at Plymouth, Kone-Doherty could also benefit from a loan sooner rather than later.
Williams, on the other hand, was steady enough, although Crewe's second goal resulted from Dion Rankine slipping between him and left-back Lucas Pitt before lifting the ball over Mrozek.
Spearing tribute
It's rare to find soccer players who have played for their club's Legends team at the weekend and then turned out for the U21s a few days later. Jay Spearing, however, has long been known for his cameo appearances in the EFL Trophy, and he was influential during his first-half stint here in helping Liverpool dominate possession and create enough chances to not have gone in two goals behind.
Ben Trueman, who replaced Spearing for the second half, injected energy into midfield where Tommy Pilling, playing in the advanced role, stood out in the first half in particular.
Despite enjoying nearly 70 percent possession, Liverpool was hampered by the injuries to strikers Jayden Danns and Will Wright, leaving the team wanting for experience up front.
However, this provided an opportunity for Sonni-Lambie and fellow 17-year-old winger Joe Bradshaw to get their first taste of competitive action at this level. Liverpool will wrap up its group stage against Chesterfield next month, with a slim chance of advancing to the knockout stages still in sight.
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