In the recent transfer window, which has been hectic with the departure of Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Liverpool have signed Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia as a long-term replacement for Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who has been on loan back in Spain this season, will officially join Arne Slot’s team next season. Accordingly, the 25-year-old goalkeeper, who is currently the second choice goalkeeper, is expected to leave, leaving the club with two goalkeepers in Alisson and Mamardashvili for the 2025/26 season.
However, Saudi Arabia have shown interest in the Brazilian goalkeeper and had been linked with a move for him this summer. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson insisted that Alisson will remain at Anfield next season, regardless of interest from Middle Eastern clubs, in order to familiarise the Georgia goalkeeper with the Premier League.
“Mamardashvili is more than capable of taking the gloves,”
“It might take him a season to bed in, which is why I don’t think that Alisson will leave in the summer.”
“Liverpool will be very, very shrewd to keep him on as not a mentor, but just to give Mamadashvili time to settle in.”
“Give him an opportunity in cup games, play him in some European games as well, and get him used to being in that role of Liverpool’s number one goalkeeper. I expect Alisson to stay for another year, which is huge.”
Football Insider
The Brazilian goalkeeper has been out injured for increasing periods over the last year, and although he is now 32 years old and stepping into veteran territory, the nature of the goalkeeping position means that he should still be able to play at the top level for some time to come.
Liverpool’s choice of Mamardashvili over Kelleher means that he will have to spend a lot of time defending for Valencia and the Georgia national team, control the game, get used to a high final line style of play and adapt to life and football in England.
Alisson should therefore be at the heart of next season’s squad, but it is clear that they will be hoping for regular competition from mid-season onwards.
With third-choice goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros also out of contract at the end of the season and the possibility of a major reshuffle in the goalkeeping ranks, what sort of squad will Liverpool have for the new season…?