Former Aberdeen defender Calvin Ramsay says it is a “dream come true” to make his Liverpool debut in the Champions League.
Aberdonian Ramsay was introduced as a substitute in the 87th minute of Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat of Napoli at Anfield.
The 19-year-old’s family were in the stadium to see the right-back make his bow for the six-time European champions.
Teenager Ramsay moved to Liverpool in a club-record transfer from the Dons this summer.
It is a transfer that could be worth up to £8 million to Aberdeen.
The Dons received an initial £4.5m and could pocket a further £3.5 million with additional add-ons.
Ramsay told the Liverpool FC official website: “It’s just a dream come true, something I’ve dreamed of as a little kid.
“To actually be playing in the Champions League, it’s just amazing.
“To come on and make my debut in the Champions League is a special moment.
“And to have my family here as well, it makes it even more special. I’m delighted.”
A moment Ramsay will never forget
Ramsay replaced England international Trent Alexander-Arnold in a win that secured Liverpool’s progression to the knock-out stages.
Napoli had won all five of their group games prior to the Anfield clash.
However late Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez goals secured the victory.
Ramsay has recently recovered from an injury and scored for the U21s on Saturday in the 3-0 Premier League 2 win at West Ham United.
"To come on and make my debut in the Champions League is a special moment. To have my family here as well, it makes it even more special. I'm delighted." 👏
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 2, 2022
Ramsay said: “I was a bit nervous, to be honest.
“Since I came to the club I’ve been injured but I’m just delighted to be back now.
“I’ve played a few games with the U21s and built up my fitness.
“So to be back in the first-team squad and come on, with my family there is a moment I won’t forget.”
Rapid rise of Ramsay to Champions League
It is a remarkable ascent to the Champions League for Aberdeen Youth Academy graduate Ramsay.
The right-back only made his Aberdeen debut as a substitute in a 1-0 loss at Dundee United in March last year.
His first start, in a 1-0 Scottish Cup win at Dumbarton, came the following month.
Just 18 months later the Aberdeen-born and raised teen is playing in the Champions League.
He said: “We knew it was going to be a tough game, we knew what they (Napoli) were going to come here and do.
“I’m just delighted to get three points.
“They’re a top team.
“To play the way we did and keep a clean sheet on the form they’ve been on, it’s a very good result.”
Focused on getting more game time
Liverpool ended Serie A leaders Napoli’s 21-game unbeaten run.
Ramsay had been an unused substitute in Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat of Rangers at Anfield last month.
Now that he has made his debut the teen is determined to secure more game time under manager Jurgen Klopp.
He said: “I just need to keep working hard in training and try to prove what I can do.
“And if I keep working hard, I’m sure I’ll get more opportunities – Champions League, Premier League, whatever it may be.
“So hopefully I can get more minutes under my belt.”
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