Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed to much fanfare and seen as the heir apparent to the throne of Alisson. However, after a year at Liverpool, the jury remains out on the goalkeeper.
There’s something about agreeing a big-money deal for a senior player in advance before they later join up with the club. It unintentionally creates this added hype, this anticipation or, as the kids would now say, a certain aura around the deal.
Think Naby Keita. Such was Liverpool’s desire to get the deal done for a player who so perfectly fit their required profile, that a transfer fee plus a premium were forked out a good 12 months in advance.
The £35 million swift handshaking with Valencia for Georgian giant Mamardashvili gave a similar feel.
Okay, so £35m isn’t an awful lot for a footballer in today’s market. But, for a relatively unknown then 23-year-old goalkeeper, who came potential-laden and with such stature, it was a reasonable investment.
And, as most people perhaps could have predicted, we have seen a fair bit of Mamardashvili in his debut season due to the repeated injuries sustained by Alisson.
What the numbers tell us
It’s been a tough one; the season has been terrible almost from start to finish.
Liverpool haven’t clicked, there has been no in-built system and zero consistency. Perhaps one of the only consistent things, unfortunately for Mamardashvili, was a porous defence.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The data doesn’t reflect kindly on the Reds for the season just gone. The campaign saw Liverpool face more shots on goal and had a greater percentage of lost possession in the defensive segment than the previous five seasons.
Among this mass disturbance, the new boy has had to make his way. After adjusting to his new teammates, a new country and a new home, Mamardashvili had to negotiate bedding himself into a Liverpool squad that was rocked by grief during pre-season, before being thrust into the action with an XI who had lost their way.
The 24-year-old Georgian ended the campaign with 18 goals conceded in 10 Premier League appearances. In the Champions League the figures don’t read much better: 10 goals conceded in seven matches, with just one clean sheet.
Giorgi Mamardashvili’s differing style
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 4, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Numbers are one thing, but the eyeball test also feels particularly important with Mamardashvili. Seeing the former Valencia man between the sticks does offer a feeling of comfort.
His massive, bear-like frame is matched reassuringly with an athletic ability to get himself around. The Georgian always looks purposeful and powerful, never a cumbersome oaf-like figure.
His reflexes are sound enough, his shot-stopping perhaps the most impressive part of his all-round game. On a few occasions, Mamardashvili stole the show with a series of high-profile stops, both from distance and at close quarters.
But it’s in those fleeting moments, those all-important pockets of nothingness when off the ball when he could be a fraction better. Awareness inside the box, pulling up a higher line when out of possession, more like Alisson.
His kicking and distribution are certainly areas that are lacking and need to improve considerably. The Georgian is without doubt a confidence ‘keeper and when it’s low, the ball is often kicked long and wayward.
In this area, he lags behind Alisson significantly – and it shows.
Nobody can be Alisson Becker
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper substitutes Freddie Woodman, Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.?. and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. Galatasaray won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper substitutes Freddie Woodman, Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili during the pre-match warm-up before the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.?. and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. Galatasaray won 1-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There again, the comparisons to Alisson are both automatic and also, generally speaking, perhaps unfair.
Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper has arguably been the finest on the planet for several years now: Brazilian brilliance, amplifying everything that is desired from the modern-day ‘keeper, with the added panache of that rare South American flair.
It’s all but impossible to emulate. Mamardashvili has been tipped to take Alisson’s shirt in the near future, but he’ll have to carve his own path in doing so. This will not be a copy-and-paste job.
Following in the footsteps of a master is never an easy task. Who was handed the chisel and a block of marble after Michelangelo called it a day in Renaissance Italy?
Whoever it was, you can bet they had their work cut out. Mamardashvili can sympathise.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 23, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The question is, irrespective of Liverpool’s sliding form, have we seen enough from Mamardashvili to suggest that he can be the senior Liverpool ‘keeper for years to come?
Right now, the honest answer to that one perhaps has to be no, and his case isn’t helped by the arrival of Andoni Iraola as the new head coach.
What will Andoni Iraola want from his goalkeepers?
Next season will see a new style, approach and ethos for Liverpool. Iraola is very much a front-footed tactician, championing the method of getting the ball down and sending the forward passes moving – it is incisive and quick.
This, on the face of things, suits Alisson down to the ground but less so Mamardashvili, but that isn’t to say that the Georgian cannot adapt.
Andoni Iraola, the manager of Bournemouth shouts instructions. Premier League match, Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool on Saturday 19th August 2023. this image may only be used for Editorial purposes. Editorial use only, license required for commercial use. No use in betting, games or a single club/league/player publications. pic by Chris Stading/Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live news Credit: Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live News
Andoni Iraola, the manager of Bournemouth shouts instructions. Premier League match, Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth at Anfield in Liverpool on Saturday 19th August 2023. this image may only be used for Editorial purposes. Editorial use only, license required for commercial use. No use in betting, games or a single club/league/player publications. pic by Chris Stading/Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live news Credit: Andrew Orchard sports photography/Alamy Live News
Man City had a similar situation at the beginning of the season, entering the campaign by handing the fresh, fleet-footed James Trafford the gloves, only to quickly U-turn on this after the market opportunity to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma emerged.
In profile, Mamardashvili more closely mirrors Donnarumma, while Alisson’s expansive and risk-stacked approach is more in line with Trafford’s. Pep Guardiola trusted the big man between the sticks and it worked.
The new manager will have his work cut out, but Mamardashvili comes across as an honest, hard-working player who is keen to learn and grow. A persistent issue may, however, be opportunity, should Alisson experience a rare injury-free season for his final campaign in a red shirt.
Cup fixtures will come thick and fast, and Iraola’s style is very much one that requires a high turnover of personnel. It hasn’t been the start Mamardashvili maybe envisaged after joining the reigning champions, but things can only go up from here.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
When he does get opportunities, they will have to be taken. Something of an elephant in the room is the rising stock of Caoimhin Kelleher, who amassed a stellar reputation at Anfield before going on to prove his undoubted worth at Brentford.
He is two years Mamardashvili’s senior but entirely comfortable with Premier League football and is evidently still getting better.
Liverpool had that talent at their disposal, yet signed off his exit for just £12.5m in a deal which will still not surpass the £20m mark if all clauses are met.
Mamardashvili was highly coveted by the Reds and, hopefully, in the coming year, we will find out exactly why.
Best moment: A fantastic save with his fingertips to reach Matty Cash’s shot that took a wicked deflection off Virgil van Dijk.
Worst moment: Performance against Man United. Like in most of his games, he wasn’t directly at fault for the goals, but you couldn’t help feel Alisson would have done more.
Role next season: Backup to Alisson in the Premier League and Champions League, but he should get the domestic cups.
Victor Munoz of Spain
Victor Munoz of Spain (Photo by Sergio Ruiz/PRESSINPHOTO)
Rob Page – EFL Trophy FI
Rob Page - EFL Trophy FI