Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Giorgi Mamardashvili will start for Liverpool against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup tonight, with a chance to prove that he has what it takes to replace Alisson Becker next summer.
Gomez has been out of contention since suffering a muscle injury in the 4-2 pre-season win over Sunderland in late July, but Iraola says he is back in training with the rest of the squad, which is a welcome boost.
“He is training with the team,” Iraola told the press on Monday.
“I think he’s going to be available for tomorrow and now it’s a matter of deciding how much he can play and what is the best thing to do.”
Iraola says Mamardashvili will start v Tottenham tomorrow. Says he rates him highly having previously tried to sign him for Bournemouth.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) September 14, 2026
Mamardashvili needs to take the chance against Spurs as a way to prove to fans and, indeed, Iraola that he has what it takes to be Alisson’s heir when the Brazilian’s contract expires on 1 July 2027.
Last season, the Georgian was unconvincing, but Liverpool were so bad that it was difficult to get a real assessment of the £85,000-a-week goalkeeper.
There are question marks over his kicking, but the 25-year-old also needs to improve his shot-stopping, which has left a lot to be desired as well.
There’s a real divide between fans online over whether or not he is the man to lead Liverpool long-term, with the arrival of Lucca Brughmans next summer also set to place more pressure on Mamardashvili. Could a teenager take his place in the starting lineup? Time will tell.
Confirmed Liverpool team news and injury latest ahead of Tottenham clash
Liverpool have received a major injury boost, with Joe Gomez returning to full training. The Englishman is potentially in with a shout to get his first minutes of the season against Tottenham, although you’d imagine he wouldn’t start the game.
That said, Ronald Araujo needs a rest so it will likely be Jeremie Frimpong to start against Spurs.
Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined and won’t be involved against Tottenham, but we could see more of Trey Nyoni. It would be ideal to see the 19-year-old get his first start of the season, as he has the talent to become a starter for Liverpool, especially once he gets used to the physical demands of playing as a holding midfielder in the Premier League.
Iraola was asked about Bradley’s long-term return from injury:
“I think he is not close to training with the team,” said the Spaniard. “He’s training alone but he has started touching the ball.
“Definitely I want him as quick as possible ready but it’s a long-term injury.
“I think [Giovanni] Leoni is a little bit ahead of him and still it’s going to take some time for Conor, yes.”
With further confirmation that Bradley will be sidelined for quite some time longer, the return of Gomez to training is all the more valuable. Araujo has done a terrific job at right back and should be the first-choice pick there moving forward, but there is a major risk in having all three of your first-team centre-backs playing at the same time.
With Gomez back, he provides the extra squad depth at centre-back and right-back that you need. Hopefully he can stay fit this season, as he remains a good player whose versatility could be a real blessing for Iraola.