Liverpool goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel has said it will be difficult for Giorgi Mamardashvili to force his way into the Liverpool team when he joins the club next summer.
The Reds agreed a deal to sign Mamardashvili from Valencia last year, although he has remained in Spain this season and will only join up Liverpool ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. Despite Liverpool agreeing a deal worth up to €40million ($45M/£34M) for Mamardashvili, it’s difficult to see him occupying a starting berth in the team.
That’s mainly down to the form of Alisson who, at 32, is still producing outstanding displays on a weekly basis. The ex-Roma man has made 24 appearances so far in Liverpool’s title-winning season, producing excellent performances against Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United to help preserve the Reds’ lead at the top of the table heading into the final weeks. What that means for Mamardashvili next year is unclear.
“The club made this option there, I think a year ago, a year and a bit ago,” Taffarel, a legendary goalkeeper in Brazil in his own right, told ESPN.
“This acquisition of the youngster is possibly with an eye to the future. Yet Alisson remains at an extremely high level. And given his age, coupled with his experience and determination, you know? It’s going to be quite a task for anyone to come in and take over from him, isn’t it?”
(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Taffarel, a close friend of Alisson who also works with him at international level, said the Liverpool no.1 wants to “continue living this story” at Anfield, despite interest from Saudi Arabia in recent windows.
As for Mamardashvili, a disappointing campaign at Valencia looks to be ending on a positive note with the club enjoying an eight-match upbeat streak to pull clear of the relegation zone – a run which includes a win over Real Madrid.
Mamardashvili admitted earlier this season that his performance levels have dropped at times, but has ended the campaign strongly. The 24-year-old has conceded just five goals in his last seven appearances.
(Image: 2025 Diego Souto)
Three possible options are likely to greet him at Anfield next season. He could remain as Alisson’s back-up – an scenario which is unlikely to appeal to Mamardashvili.
Alternatively, a loan move or a permanent exit seem possible, although the latter feels unlikely. Another factor to consider is Caohmin Kelleher. The Irishman is expected to depart this summer with a year remaining on his contract.
He has made no secret of his desire to be a regular starter elsewhere and the arrival of another goalkeeper only pushes him further down the pecking order.
Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison believes he would be an ideal signing for a host of Premier League teams, including Newcastle. “I think Kelleher will go, to be honest. Alisson will be Liverpool’s number one and Mamardashvili will be the number two,” he said.
“It would be really unfair to ask Kelleher to stay, because how do you expect a lad that is so good to be number three? I think he can go to the majority of the teams in the Premier League.
“I mean, I understand that transfer would never happen, but he’s better than what Manchester United have. But I think he’s such a talented goalkeeper. I’d take him at Newcastle, he’d be number one there too.”
