Arne Slot’s lineup for Brighton featured a surprising exclusion, with Giorgi Mamardashvili deprived of a rare appearance.
There wasn’t much surprising about Liverpool’s starting XI to face Brighton.
Slot went strong, highlighting the importance of the FA Cup to rescue a rather dismal season.
We did, however, expect to see Mamardashvili given the nod over his Brazilian teammate.
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Federico Chiesa pictured in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/James Gill - Danehouse).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse
Not doing so is a strange decision, and one that won’t go down well with the Georgian.
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Liverpool fans have been impressed with Mamardashvili when he has featured this season.
Other than the period Alisson spent on the sidelines, those appearances have been few and far between.
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He was brought to Anfield to secure the future of that position when the Brazilian eventually fades from the picture. That hasn’t happened yet.
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
The risk is that Mamardashvili might not have the patience to wait for that day to come. If he was getting some minutes, it would be less of a concern, but Slot not using him in the cup sends a rather blunt message.
Transitioning goalkeepers is always going to be difficult. There’s only one spot and no real chance of coming off the bench.
Mamardashvili will have known the situation with Alisson, but he surely would have expected more than two starts in the cups this season.
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The unfortunate thing for Liverpool’s number two is that he has a man ahead of him who has long been considered one of the best keepers in Europe.
Alisson is 33, and has a contract running until the end of next season.
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Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts The Emirates FA Cup trophy after their sides victory during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium
Photo by Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
As exciting a prospect as Mamardashvili clearly is, he will be on the fringes if the Brazilian’s form doesn’t drop off.
Alisson received criticism after Man City for giving away the penalty, and there have been some shaky moments with his passing in recent weeks.
That said, he’s still a world-class player and well able to keep Mamardashvili out of the first-team picture. Hopefully that doesn’t cause too much of a stir.
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