For years now, Liverpool have struggled to find a suitable backup to Trent Alexander-Arnold at the right-back position. The Englishman has played at least 29 games every season in the league since the 2018-19 season with no real contest at that slot. Recently, the Reds have been trying to address that as they have been linked with a move for Calvin Ramsay, the right-back who plays for Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership. The teenager enjoyed a breakout campaign for the Dandies in the season just gone by. With that in mind, let us take a look at Ramsay’s campaign in the 2021-22 Scottish Premiership.
Calvin Ramsay featured in 24 games for Aberdeen. He played 1,639 minutes in those 24 matches, averaging around 68 minutes per game. He scored once for the Dandies in the league campaign. The Scotsman ranked in the upper quintile of defenders in shot attempts, having fired off 0.77 shots per 90. He also hit 50% of his shots on target. The 18-year-old attempted 4.18 dribbles per 90, which was in the top 4% of defenders. His success rate sat at a respectable 72.37%. Ramsay was involved in over seven and a half offensive duels per 90 and nine attacking actions per 90 during his time on the pitch.
In addition to scoring once, Ramsay provided five assists. He did so at a rate of 0.22 assists per 90, which was in the 95th percentile for defenders. The Scotsman’s xA of 0.18 per 90 ranked him in the top 2% of defenders in this category. Ramsay attempted just shy of 38 passes per 90 at an accuracy of 78.34%. He also completed 60% of his balls into the final third. With 2.03 progressive runs per 90, the teenager was in the upper quintile of defenders in this category. Additionally, the Scotsman completed an impressive 4.23 crosses per 90 and 1.37 shot assists per 90, which was in the top 8% and 3% among defenders, respectively.
As seen from the above heat map, Calvin Ramsay bombed forward and tracked back on the right wing for Aberdeen. During his time on the field, the teenager completed 36 tackles & interceptions and attempted 154 crosses. He also drew more fouls (31) than committed them (23).
Shown above is the xT map, xT timeline and pass sonar of Calvin Ramsay for Aberdeen in the 2021-22 Scottish Premiership season. As seen on the map, he created the majority of the threat in the final third on the right wing. His passes and crosses into the opposition’s penalty area generated a significant proportion of his overall threat production.
Calvin Ramsay enjoyed a good breakout campaign in the Scottish Premiership for an Aberdeen side that finished just one spot above the promotion/relegation playoffs. However, it is clear that he would, at best, be a backup and a rotation option at Liverpool to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
