New Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has sent a message to Reds fans after playing his first game for the club against Preston North End, a year after his transfer from Valencia was agreed.
Mamardashvili moved to Anfield this summer, but a deal worth around $40 million (£29 million) was rubberstamped last year. In Arne Slot's first summer in charge, he was Liverpool's only signing aside from the opportunistic capture of Federico Chiesa from Juventus.
On Sunday, Mamardashvili played 45 minutes at Deepdale in the first pre-season friendly of the summer for the Reds — and also the first time back in action following the tragic death of Diogo Jota.
Putting in a solid performance in which he wasn't really called upon too often, Mamardashvili looked confident enough. He is a physical presence and confidently punched clear one cross into the box.
Writing on Instagram after the game, he said: "Hello Reds. Special moment in my life. Making my debut for Liverpool FC.
"I'm proud to be the first Georgian player to represent this legendary club. I know what this means for my family and for all the Georgian people.
"Thank you for the support. This is just the beginning. YNWA."
Giorgi Mamardashvili looks on during the pre-season friendly football match between Preston North End and Liverpool at Deepdale stadium in Preston, north-west England on July 13, 2025.
Another new goalkeeper, Freddie Woodman, made his debut in the second half. He made an excellent save from inside the penalty area but was denied a clean sheet because of a late Liam Lindsay goal from a corner.
Fellow new signings Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez appeared for the first time in a Liverpool shirt, but Florian Wirtz won't be seen until the pre-season tour in Asia, when the Reds are set to take on AC Milan and Yokohama Marinos.
Frimpong posted two pictures of himself during the game and one of the minute's silence that took place before kick-off to remember Jota and his brother, Andre Silva. "Together. Thank you fans," the caption read.
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Kerkez, meanwhile, posted a picture of the Liverpool players standing in front of the traveling fans in a poignant moment after the final whistle, in addition to a couple of shots of him in action. "We stay together, we are Liverpool," he wrote.
Liverpool is next in action on July 26 against AC Milan. Its first match of the new season (aside from the Community Shield) will take place on August 15 against Bournemouth.
Liverpool.com says: It will be interesting to see how many minutes Mamardashvili gets once the season gets underway. Alisson Becker is, of course, the undisputed number one. He is the best in the world, so it is tough competition.