Image Credits: Imago Images
The Athletic have provided yet another update on Giorgi Mamardashvili and his injury sustained in the Merseyside derby win.
Liverpool’s late derby euphoria at the Hill Dickinson Stadium was slightly curbed by the sight of the 24-year-old leaving the pitch on a stretcher, and the 24 hours since have been dominated by speculation over how long the Georgian will now be out of action.
Initial fears of a serious structural issue were swiftly walked back by Arne Slot, who said after the game that his No. 2 had sustained “a big open wound” to the knee rather than anything ligament-related, and was adamant it would not be a long-term problem.
Local Georgian reports initially put a three-week timeframe on his return back to training.
Now the Athletic have reported something similar, asserting it will be between two and four weeks until he is back in action:
“Giorgi Mamardashvili’s injury is not as bad as first feared but the Liverpool goalkeeper is still expected to spend at least a fortnight on the sidelines.”
“An exact timeframe has not yet been put on the 25-year-old’s return, but it is expected to be between two and four weeks, depending on the speed of his recovery.”
A two-to-four-week absence would potentially cost Mamardashvili anywhere between two and four Premier League outings, including Saturday’s home clash with Crystal Palace and the trip to Manchester United on 3 May.
Third-choice Freddie Woodman, who made his unexpected Premier League debut off the bench at Goodison, now looks odds-on to make his first top-flight start for the club against Palace, the very opponents he faced on his overall Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup back in October.
Speaking after his Premier League debut, Woodman said:
“Yeah, it was a moment that I was waiting for and I’m probably ready for as well.”
“I trained hard all season, didn’t think it would come, but yeah, obviously amazing to it a Merseyside derby and then to win it like we did was unbelievable. So, yeah, really nice moment for me, nice moment for my family as well. So, yeah, I’m pleased.”
“Listen, I’d be lying if said I wasn’t nervous, you know what I mean? Being a part of this massive club, you have moments where you’re a little bit nervous. But to be honest, I thought to myself as I ran on, I saw the back four and I thought I should be all right.”