Calvin Ramsay has had a surprise return to the first-team picture and although he trained with the team ahead of Real Madrid‘s visit, he is not eligible to play.
Ramsay made his first appearance for the club since 2022 last week, marking an unexpected return in what was a standout performance on the night as Liverpool succumbed to a 3-0 defeat.
His performance led calls for Arne Slot to keep him in contention as he is eligible for the Premier League, after being named in Liverpool’s 24-man senior squad in September.
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The Champions League is a different story. Although he trained alongside 21 outfield players at the AXA Training Centre on Monday, he cannot be in contention for a place in the matchday squad.
This is due to the 22-year-old not being registered in the club’s 22-man squad, named in September, in addition to being too old to be named on List B.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, November 3, 2025: Liverpool's Calvin Ramsay during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There was a time he could have been added to the squad, but Federico Chiesa was the one to benefit from a UEFA rule change after Giovanni Leoni‘s long-term injury.
UEFA announced that, up to the sixth game of the league phase, clubs can make one change to their outfield players on List A in the event of long-term injury or illness.
With Liverpool having already made that one change, Ramsay, therefore, can help make up the numbers in training but cannot play any further role in the league phase.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, November 3, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (L) and Hugo Ekitike during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, November 3, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s session on Monday heralded the return of Curtis Jones after a two-game absence, with the midfielder likely to settle for a place on the bench against Xabi Alonso’s side.
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Alexander Isak, meanwhile, remains absent with a groin injury, which will extend his time out of the side to at least four matches.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, November 3, 2025: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, November 3, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Thankfully, though, no new fitness issues emerged from the weekend’s win, with every player involved accounted for, including Ryan Gravenberch.
The Dutchman played 90 minutes on his return from an ankle injury and Slot was optimistic after the victory that he would be able to back up three days later against Real Madrid.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, November 3, 2025: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, November 3, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Kaide Gordon, Wellity Lucky and Tommy Pilling were also involved in Monday’s session after all three were named in the squad against Crystal Palace last week.
Slot could be tempted to name an unchanged side at Anfield, though Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz will hope to put their case forward after both were named on the bench against Aston Villa.
Liverpool squad in training on Monday
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, November 3, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Kerkez, Robertson, Bradley, Ramsay, Lucky
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Wirtz, Endo, Nyoni, Pilling
Forwards: Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike, Chiesa, Ngumoha, Gordon