Photo: Timmy96 / CC0 / Wikimedia Commons
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Calvin Ramsay has described the intensity of Liverpool's pre-season preparations under head coach Andoni Iraola, with the 23-year-old full-back targeting continued development ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
The squad has been based in Chicago for a training camp, concluding with a third pre-season friendly against Leeds United at Soldier Field on 2 August (9pm BST kick-off). Ramsay picked up minutes in each of the first two tour fixtures, against Sunderland in Nashville and Wrexham in New York.
"It's really intense and he wants us constantly pressing and being aggressive and being able to defend and attack," Ramsay said of working under Iraola. "It's been good – I've enjoyed it. It's obviously only been a few weeks so hopefully I can stay here for a little bit longer and keep working with him and keep learning and get better."
Ramsay registered an assist in the opening match against Sunderland and featured heavily in the Wrexham fixture. He expressed optimism about earning further minutes against Leeds.
The Scot reflected on recent loan experience as valuable preparation for training alongside Liverpool's senior group. "I didn't play as much as I would've liked to play, but it's all learning and the games that I did play, it was a good experience to be involved in men's football," he said. "When you've been out on loan it kind of gives you that [experience needed to compete with world-class players]."
Ramsay also highlighted the practical benefits of loan football, noting that exposure to larger crowds and senior-level physicality represented a significant step up from under-21 football. "It's a lot tougher than U21s football, I think. It's all valuable experience," he added.