Giorgi Mamardashvili's debut for Liverpool has been a year in the making, with the goalkeeper finally getting the chance to walk out with the Reds on an emotional afternoon against Preston.
Liverpool's first preseason game saw a number of tributes paid to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva as the Reds made their first outing since their tragic deaths.
As their summer preparations got underway, Arne Slot's side took on an unfamiliar look initially, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Alexis Mac Allister and new signing Florian Wirtz among those to sit the game out at Deepdale.
Mamardashvili though was handed his first start for the club, having completed his move from Valencia this summer after a deal was agreed last year. Here's a look at what we spotted from his debut as he played the first half against Preston.
Early tests
There certainly wasn't much to test Mamardashvili's reflexes early on as the game had a distinctly pre-season feel to it. Players on both sides were clearly blowing the cobwebs off and trying to find their feet again, often at times unsuccessfully.
With Liverpool enjoying much of the ball though, what the Georgian did get was decent time with the ball at his feet, and there were certainly no causes for concern in that department.
Giorgi Mamardashvili warms up ahead of Liverpool's friendly against Preston
Giorgi Mamardashvili warms up ahead of Liverpool's friendly against Preston (Image: Getty Images)
Mamardashvili's footwork was perhaps the main concern among some supporters after his signing was confirmed last year. There is little doubt about his abilities as a goalkeeper, although he has had one or two ropey moments with the ball at his feet over the past year.
He will be tested more as the summer goes on, but so far, so good for him, with one moment in particular almost providing him with the perfect introduction...
The almost-Alisson moment
Not many goalkeepers come away from their debuts with an assist to their name, but Mamardashvili almost had the unlikeliest of boasts on his first appearance.
Midway through the first-half, he launched the ball forward and found Federico Chiesa on the halfway line, with the Italian spinning his defender to launch himself towards goal.
Giorgi Mamardashvili in action for Liverpool against Preston
Giorgi Mamardashvili in action for Liverpool against Preston (Image: Getty Images)
Unfortunately, Chiesa didn't quite have the pace to shake off his marker as his shot was blocked as he entered the penalty area, before sending the follow-up wide.
It would have been quite the moment for Mamardashvili had Chiesa managed to score, with the goalkeeper almost emulating his teammate Alisson Becker with those famous assists for Mohamed Salah against Manchester United and Manchester City. Still, it's early days, and he'll have plenty of time to make his mark.
An imposing figure
Standing at 6-foot-6, Mamardashvili is certainly an imposing figure in the Liverpool goal, and he's not afraid to use his big frame to his advantage - even if it means clearing out his teammates in the process.
We saw at toward the latter stages of the first half after Conor Bradley gave the Reds the lead, with the keeper coming out well to punch away a decent-looking cross from the hosts, and flooring one of his own defenders in the process.
The giant Mamardashvili though looked unperturbed as he strolled back to his line with his job done, and he can be pleased with a clean sheet from his first outing for the club, albeit he was never actually tested in any meaningful way.
The early signs are promising though, and it looks as though Liverpool may have found a fitting replacement for Caoimhin Kelleher, and some competition for Alisson.