NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola shakes hands with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili as he is substituted during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola shakes hands with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili as he is substituted during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andoni Iraola has confirmed Giorgi Mamardashvili will start against Tottenham in the League Cup, plus promising “players we haven’t seen” yet.
For the first time since the start of March, Alisson has strung five consecutive starting appearances together for Liverpool, keeping Mamardashvili on the bench.
But the Brazilian will be handed a rest on Tuesday, Iraola confirmed, as he turns to fresh legs after playing two games in four days and making just three changes to his XI.
“I think there are little (few) doubts about Ali; he’s proven and he’s playing very well,” Iraola said.
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“I also rate Giorgi very highly, I know him from his years in Spain. I told him we tried to sign him for Bournemouth before I came here, and for me he’s a very good ‘keeper.
“He is going to start tomorrow.”
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Iraola has used 18 different players across the opening five games in all competitions, but he strongly hinted at naming “players that we haven’t seen” against Tottenham.
“I think we will see tomorrow players that we haven’t seen still,” Iraola confirmed.
“I’m really looking forward to [seeing them], because I feel they are gonna play well or they can help us, and probably they still haven’t had the chance.”
Liverpool’s head coach knows the perception of his squad and its depth will rest with the team’s results, but he is still learning about his group and who is capable of what.
He added: “I value the players we have a lot. If we win games, the squad will look amazing and fantastic. If we don’t win, there are going to be problems.
“If it’s not the depth, it’s gonna be the whatever.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 12, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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On players performing every few days, the Spaniard explained: “There are players who play every three days, who have no issues; they are very robust, and their performances don’t change too much.
“And there are other players where the risk is bigger, the performances are different, and I have to learn who is ready to play three or four games in a row every two or three days, and who needs a rest so the performance level doesn’t get affected.
“I think I have it in my mind quite clearly with some of them, but with others it is new even for them, because they haven’t played as many games, and we are learning.”
The likes of Trey Nyoni, Luke Chambers, James McConnell, Wataru Endo, Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas will be in contention, while Joe Gomez is also expected to return to the squad.
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi speaks with Mathys Tel after the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday September 12, 2026.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi speaks with Mathys Tel after the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday September 12, 2026.
Elliott Ndukwe
Elliott Ndukwe