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Giorgi Mamardashvili was forced off in Liverpool’s victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Giorgi Mamardashvili may miss a maximum of one game after being forced off in Liverpool’s Merseyside derby victory.
The No.2 goalkeeper was again between the posts for the Reds as Alisson Becker continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Mamardashvili made a fine save from Beto in the first half of the Hill Dickinson Stadium encounter.
However, after Mo Salah gave Liverpool the lead before half-time, Beto equalised in the 54th minute when he got on the end of a cross from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Beto accidently caught Mamardashvili when sliding for the ball, with the stopper needing treatment and had to leave to pitch on a stretcher. The Georgia international was taken to hospital after sustaining a wound.
According to physiotherapist Serhan Segitmen, speaking on YouTube channel PhysioScout, Mamardashvili likely went to hospital to check for a potential infection. He said: “It was probably more of an infection control, really painful injury as opposed to anything ligamentous or muscular. I'm pretty sure it was studs on thigh so it would be pretty painful.”
Meanwhile, Jared Winston - who is also a physiotherapist - added: “I would agree. It looks more of a medical management rather than a soft tissue injury. They are obviously going to need to let that wound heal well. He may miss a game or something like that but definitely shouldn't be something long term.”
A post on PhysioScout’s X account continued: “The early reports are actually a bit more encouraging than the visuals suggested. Arne Slot said it looked like a big open wound rather than a long-term structural injury, which is why Mamardashvili was taken to hospital for treatment.
“Possible Recovery Time: Deep wound/laceration: Recovery can be quick if no major soft tissue damage, But if it’s a nasty one, and has a infection risk, it can extend to 2-3 weeks. Scans and further assessment will still be important, but for now the hope is that this is more of a severe wound issue than major ligament or joint damage.”
Mamardashvili’s injury meant that Freddie Woodman had to come on for his Liverpool debut. The third-choice keeper, signed from Preston on a free transfer, was faultless throughout before Virgil van Dijk’s 100th-minute header delivered the Reds a triumph.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said: “Is there anything that surprises you when it comes to injuries with us this season? Maybe I already envisaged it because I had two goalkeepers on the bench today, which I usually normally don't have, but of course has everything to do with the availability of all the other positions. Freddie did a great job.
“Giorgi had to go to hospital, big wound, so let's see how he will be. But Freddie deserves a lot of credit because if you have to come in just after conceding the 1-1 and the fans were ready for it, but he did his job really well. Kept his calm in a difficult moment where he was doubting if he should catch the ball, yes or no, and he kept his nerves and worked so hard to have this moment.
“Usually third goalkeepers don't play a lot, but in a season like ours, I think if you are playing at the moment in the under-8s of Liverpool you should be ready for making your debut because it's unbelievable what's happening to us.”
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