Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has drawn transfer interest from Juventus heading into the summer, with Giorgi Mamardashvili often filling in for him in recent months
12:44, 28 May 2026
Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson Becker during a Liverpool training session in Hong Kong
Giorgi Mamardashvili and Alisson Becker during a Liverpool training session in Hong Kong(Image: Nikki Dyer - Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool must keep hold of Alisson Becker for at least the remainder of his contract, which runs until the summer of 2027, with Giorgi Mamardashvili capable of replacing him if he continues to develop.
That is the view of the former Reds shot-stopper David James, who believes it is vital for the Reds to keep Alisson this summer despite transfer interest from the Italian giant Juventus.
According to Transfermarkt data, Alisson missed 26 games for club and country in the season just gone either through injury or illness, which follows 28 in the campaign before that. However, when he is fit, he remains one of the best in the world — as his excellent save from close range against Brentford on Sunday showed.
"Alisson has demonstrated over the years that he is the best keeper," James says. "The biggest challenge this season has been the injuries. For Liverpool, the reassurance they would need is that the injuries wouldn't happen again, which is the same with any player.
"For Mamardashvili coming in, this has been a challenging season. In any other season, without the circumstances of this season, it would have been easier for him. He has earned the right to be the next man in line if you like. I think Liverpool have to ask the question of whether if Ali was to leave, Mamardashvili would, in a better environment, be producing the kind of form that could one day make him as good. I'm still a big Ali fan and seeing him in a Liverpool shirt would be ideal for me."
Given that Liverpool would be able to bring in a transfer fee for Alisson this summer and could potentially lose him for nothing next year, there is perhaps a financial decision at play.
Alisson, Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman are Liverpool's three first-team goalkeepers
Alisson, Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman are Liverpool's three first-team goalkeepers(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
But losing Alisson would mean needing to replace him — and with Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson having already headed for the exit door, there is also a balance to be struck in disrupting the leadership group.
"I take this season for everything that has been well-documented in being very different to any other, beyond just Ali's situation," James explains. "There was success, winning the Premier League last year. There has been success in the previous seasons with Ali not playing a full part (because of injuries), so I am not overly concerned about him not being there every single game.
"However, the idea is that you want a fit Ali so you're not second-guessing when he's not playing. As I say, I think the big question would be who you would replace Ali with. I think Mamardashvili will get there. It is not a question of whether Mamardashvili will be the goalkeeper long-term, but if Ali drops out, you are going to have to bring someone in.
"Looking around the goalkeeping environment, there are a lot of potential candidates in the Premier League already. I know there are a few in Europe that I've seen that are young goalkeepers, but that's not necessarily to be the straight No.1."
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Having made 20 appearances this season, Mamardashvili, who was signed for a fee of around $38 million (£29 million) from Valencia, will hope to kick on again. Though most would say Alisson is of a higher level now, the Georgian is very highly rated.
"He has got all the capabilities and there isn't a question about what he is capable of doing," James, speaking at Ladbrokes’ Play on the Pitch day at Anfield, says. "The season has been acceptable. Liverpool have qualified for the Champions League; it might be the bare minimum, but it has been achieved. Everything else around it, from pre-season all the way through, he hasn't come into a settled environment.
"He has come into a very tense environment and I know it's a cliche that Liverpool are meant to win trophies — that is part of the nature of joining this football club — but there were other different issues that I would like to think the team won't have to experience going forward. This is the nature of injuries... it is not like Liverpool are planning not to have Alisson; it just happens and all of a sudden you are called in.
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"If Mamardashvili starts next season as No.1, I think what we will see is a very different, experienced goalkeeper playing for Liverpool. We'll get to see why he was brought in because he is a very capable goalkeeper."