Liverpool took on Merseyside rivals Everton for the first time at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday but Arne Slot's injury headache grew with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili carried off the pitch
Mamardashvili
Mamardashvili was stretchered off at Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool have seen their injury woes grow with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili stretchered off in the Merseyside derby.
The Georgian was injured in the process of Beto scoring an equaliser for Everton. He was carried off the pitch by medical staff and replaced by Freddie Woodman.
Woodman, 29, joined Liverpool in the summer on a free transfer from Preston North End. He had so far made just one appearance for Arne Slot's side - that coming in a 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace back in October.
Slot will certainly be hoping that Mamardashvili's issue is not too serious, with the Reds already suffering with an array of issues. Fellow goalkeeper Alisson Becker is already restricted to the sidelines.
Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Wataru Endo are all also out with long-term injuries. They have been joined by forward Hugo Ekitike, whose Achilles injury is set to see him miss the remainder of the campaign, as well as this summer's World Cup.
Giving an update on the striker before the Everton game, Slot said: "He hasn't been operated on yet.
"Devastating for him coming to a new club having so much impact straight away. Playing against your former club in a Champions League quarter-final with so much to come for him in the summer.
"First thoughts are with him being out for such along time, missing out on some many special moments. Not the first and not the last player to experience something like this at start of career and so many examples of players coming back even stronger, and 100 per cent he will be one of those.
Mamardashvili
Mamardashvili was forced off after Beto's leveller(Image: Getty Images)
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"Maybe this injury makes me even more stronger and more ready to play at even higher level."
Liverpool thought they had managed to steer some of the storm clouds after taking the lead against Everton on Sunday through Mohamed Salah.
But Everton levelled matters moments into the second period, an incident that saw Mamardashvili injured. Virgil van Dijk struck in stoppage time to secure what is a massive victory for Liverpool as they attempt to seal a spot in next season's Champions League.
They are next back in action next Saturday as they welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield. In the meantime, Everton also had their own injuries to contend with. Beto was forced off the pitch after a nasty clash of heads.
Defender Jarrad Branthwaite was also stretchered off in the closing stages after slamming into the advertising hoardings.
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