‘Disappointing decline’ rings alarm bells for Liverpool after already striking deal
Giorgi Mamardashvili of Valencia
Liverpool have a goalkeeping conundrum to solve after Giorgi Mamardashvili’s struggles at Valencia.
The Reds signed Mamardashvili in a £29million deal last summer. He was just one of two signings they made in 2024, presumed to be a replacement for Caoimhin Kelleher and a long-term successor to Alisson Becker.
The highly-rated Georgia international was expected to officially join up with Arne Slot’s side at the end of the current season after four years with Valencia. However, Mamardashvili’s concerning form this season may change those plans.
After being named the world’s seventh-best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or gala for 2023/24, the 24-year-old’s performances have fallen off a cliff. He has the second-lowest save percentage of any goalkeeper in La Liga (61.5 per cent), the fourth-most goals conceded per 90 minutes (1.60), and has conceded 2.6 more than expected, the seventh-worst total.
He has also made two errors leading to goals, a number just six goalkeepers in Spain’s top flight have reached. Mamardashvili’s struggles can best be summed up by the fact that he conceded 12 goals in two games against Barcelona in as many weeks.
There is an acknowledgement that his performances have declined to a “disappointing” degree - but one observer still believes Liverpool underpaid for a player who could end up being Alisson’s successor for the next decade.
Mamardashvili has not been helped by Valencia’s lacklustre season, with a porous defence in front of him making it a challenging environment for the shot-stopper to shine. They are currently in the relegation zone in 18th place, one point adrift of safety with 13 games left to play.
Still, Mamardashvili’s form is in direct contrast to that of Kelleher’s this season for the Premier League leaders. Having conceded just 15 goals in his 17 appearances in the absence of first-choice Alisson, justifying the Irishman’s exit this summer is becoming more difficult.
He has also saved 75.9 per cent of the shots he has faced, stepping up to the plate when called into action by keeping three clean sheets in nine of his Premier League outings.
Based on his contributions, it will make little sense to offload the goalkeeper, as was expected last summer. Therefore, Liverpool may need to rethink their initial plan.
Alisson is set to stay on as No. 1 for at least another year with his contract, which expires in 2026, having a one-year extension option. Kelleher, whose deal is also up in the summer of 2026, reportedly does not want to sign new terms at Anfield amid interest from Newcastle and Chelsea.
Should Liverpool decide to cash in on him now while they have the chance, that would allow Mamardashvili to return and learn the ropes from Alisson throughout the 2025/26 season, honing his skills in preparation for taking the mantle.
But if Kelleher and Mamardashvili’s respective seasons have convinced Liverpool bosses to make a U-turn, the latter could be loaned out for another season, presenting Kelleher with the chance to make the position his own. Regardless of what they decide, Liverpool are in the fortunate position of having two promising options for the future, while Alisson is far from nearing a goalkeeper’s extended expiration date aged 32.
