Ahead of what could be a big summer for Liverpool, sporting director Richard Hughes has already wrapped up one big deal. The Georgian shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili will be arriving from Valencia.
A $47 million (£35 million) move was agreed for him in the summer of 2024, with Mamardashvili remaining in Spain for the current campaign. It has been a mixed season of highs and lows, but he remains, at 23, one of the most highly-rated up-and-coming goalkeepers around.
Former Liverpool attacker Ryan Babel has been speaking about Mamardashvili and the impact he could make for the Reds. Arne Slot has had to rely on Caoimhin Kelleher at times this season, but the Georgian could take on that mantle next year.
“I know he’s a great talent,” Babel told La Gazzetta, believing that the new signing could also prove integral as a replacement for Kelleher, with Alisson Becker expected to stay.
“I think it’s good that they brought in such a competitor for Alisson. We have a pretty long season ahead of us [next year], which could lead to a lot of injuries, so Mamardashvili’s transfer is the right move in every way.”
Alisson, who broke down in tears at the final whistle against Spurs as the Premier League title was confirmed, is enjoying life on Merseyside. And his coach, the Brazilian legend Claudio Taffarel, expects him to stay put for a good while yet.
(Image: Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“The header goal (against West Brom to help secure Champions League qualification in 2021), that historic goal, the crying…It’s a very beautiful story, right?” Taffarel said during a chat with ESPN Brasil.
“Ali wants to continue living this story. I saw that this wave of Saudi Arabia come with great opportunities, very high offers. But he always says: ‘Wow, I want to continue this story because I owe a lot to them here, and I want to continue this life here’.
“I was impressed when I arrived. The admiration that the players have for him, the employees here, the [backroom staff] — both this one and Jurgen Klopp’s in the past — the board.
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“He really is a very important figure here. Because of the history he has had here, on the field, right? Showing that in the games, important games.”
Kelleher has previously made clear his desire to go and be a number one goalkeeper somewhere. He only has one year left on his contract and therefore a move in the next few months would make sense.
With Mamardashvili coming in, that would appear to line up nicely in terms of succession planning. The Valencia ace has already made clear that he will fight for the number one jersey, though Alisson will be tough to topple.
Liverpool.com says: Mamardashvili will need to work on his passing but when it comes to shot-stopping, he is already elite. Liverpool moved ahead of the competition last summer and it looks like a shrewd acquisition.
