Four days before the end of the transfer window, Liverpool stand on the verge of their first signing of the summer.
The Reds have been incredibly slow movers in the market, preferring to wait for Arne Slot to assess his newly inherited squad before making any moves.
While that looks like being a risky decision from the Liverpool owners, it is hard to argue that the Liverpool squad is not in an excellent place right now.
Nevertheless, additions are always welcome and the Reds look set to complete the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili as the first new face of the Arne Slot era.
Despite that clearly being good news, this is a transfer that does not come without its strangeness. And Liverpool’s true plan for Mamardashvili has now emerged.
Liverpool’s Giorgi Mamardashvili plan becomes clear
Goalkeeper had looked like it could be an area that needed lots of improvement at one stage of the summer window.
However, despite exit rumours over both, Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher look set to be onboard for the season.
In theory, that would make the addition of a new goalie particularly unnecessary. But Liverpool have seen the opportunity to sign Mamardashvili for a low price and have pounced upon it.
As reported by The Athletic on Monday, Liverpool have agreed a fee totalling around £30m for the Valencia goalkeeper. He’s now set for a medical.
READ MORE: Alisson Becker shares verdict on Liverpool signing Giorgi Mamardashvili
After that, it’s claimed that Mamardashvili will then spend the rest of the season on-loan with his current club before officially arriving ahead of the 2025 pre-season.
While that all sounds good, the big question is what will happen once the Georgian completes his last campaign with Valencia.
According to The Athletic, it is now ‘expected’ that upon joining Liverpool next summer, Mamardashvili will ‘compete for a place’ in the Reds team.
What about Alisson?
There is no denying that Mamardashvili is a good goalkeeper. And for £30m, Liverpool clearly expect him to be their first choice in the future. Quite when that future is, though, is now the big question.
Obviously, news of Mamardashvili’s impending arrival has been met with a little bit of worry from Liverpool supporters. Nobody is ready to lose Alisson just yet.
Interestingly, this would appear to include the Brazilian himself. Perhaps aware of the anxiety Mamardashvili’s signing has created, Alisson pledged his long-term future to Liverpool in the press on Saturday.
While this is of course excellent news, that would mean that Slot will have both Alisson and Mamardashvili to pick from in 2025/26. Not forgetting Kelleher, too.
Come this time next year, Liverpool’s goalkeeping department will be as strong as it has ever been.
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