Giorgi Mamardashvili is poised to say his goodbyes to Valencia on Sunday when the Spanish side takes on Athletic Bilbao in its last home game of the season. The Georgian, aged 24, is on the cusp of completing his transfer to Liverpool after the season wraps up on May 25.
A $39 million deal was sealed last year, marking the Georgian international’s upcoming challenge to Alisson Becker’s spot as Liverpool’s No. 1. His imminent arrival at Anfield follows a commendable season where he’s clocked up eight clean sheets in 32 appearances in La Liga thus far.
Mamardashvili’s standout displays have played a vital role in Valencia’s rejuvenation after the arrival of Carlos Corberan as head coach.
As Valencia gears up for its penultimate home game, Mamardashvili has taken a moment on Instagram to express his sentiments before his departure.
The emotional goalkeeper penned: “It’s always a pleasure to defend this club.
“Tomorrow, I will play my final game at home with this shirt. I wait for you all at Mestalla. Upward always.”
(Image: Instagram)
Mamardashvili, who’s primed to compete with Alisson for the coveted starting position, may consider a Premier League loan if he can’t carve out his place against the formidable Brazilian, Spanish publication Relevo has indicated.
Nonetheless, Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach Claudio Taffarel is convinced that Alisson will retain the main keeper’s role come next season.
“The club made that decision [to sign Mamardashvili], I think a year ago, a year and a bit ago,” Taffarel revealed in an ESPN Brasil interview last month.
“This purchase of this young player, maybe a little for the future.
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“But Alisson is a guy who is at a very high level. And even at his age, with his experience, with his desire, it will be very difficult for someone to come here and replace him, right?”.
Alisson, who has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia in the past, is said to be keen on staying put at Liverpool.
“He wants to continue living this story,” Taffarel elaborated.
“I saw that this wave of Saudi Arabia came 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’.”
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
