Giorgi Mamardashvili joined Liverpool from Valencia for £29m to provide high-class competition for Alisson Becker
New goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will provide competition for established first-choice Liverpool number one Alisson Becker
New goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will provide competition for established first-choice Liverpool number one Alisson Becker
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA)
"Big-game" Giorgi Mamardashvili has been tipped eventually to succeed Alisson Becker as Liverpool's goalkeeper. That's according to the Reds new boy's Georgia international coach.
And David Webb believes current Brazil star Alisson is the ideal shot-stopper for Mamardashvili to learn from as he begins the fledgling weeks of his Anfield career in a new-look Liverpool team under Arne Slot.
The deal to bring Mamardashvili to Anfield was initially struck last year with Valencia, with the goalkeeper arriving at the beginning of the pre-season schedule in July for £29m. The agreement initially led to several questions over the future of Alisson.
But the capture of Mamardashvili has been engineered to provide the long-serving Brazilian with high-class competition.
And Webb, speaking in an exclusive interview with Flash Score, believes the Georgian will eventually supplant the 32-year-old Alisson.
“I think that’s a target for him (becoming Liverpool's No.1)," Webb said.
"His first objective is to go in and settle into the club and try to get a feel and establish himself there.
"He knows that Alisson is a world-class goalkeeper; he has the opportunity to learn and also compete for that spot.
"But for us in Georgia, he's a fantastic goalkeeper. He's what I would call a big-game goalkeeper.
"So, especially in the Euros and games leading up to that and after that, he stepped up in the big moments, produced big saves, and he's vital for our team.
"He's got an outstanding character as well; his work ethic is phenomenal.
"And I think that's a testament to where he is now, and where he potentially could be in the future."
Mamardashvili is one of three goalkeepers signed this summer alongside Armin Pecsi, from Hungarian side Puskas Akademia, and Freddie Woodman, who arrived from Preston North End as a free agent.
Liverpool begin the defence of their Premier League title at home to Bournemouth on Friday (August 15).
The Reds lost the Community Shield to Crystal Palace at the weekend, going down 3-2 on penalties after the match finished 2-2.