Liverpool are expecting a busy transfer window with a handful of players due to arrive ahead of the new season.
Having seen more or less the same squad in action for the past two campaigns, fans are excited at the prospect of some new faces arriving to join the Reds.
For Giorgi Mamardashvili, that anticipation has stretched back almost one full year.
The goalkeeper was signed from Valencia last August before being loaned back out to the Spanish club for the 2024/25 campaign.
After the season draws to a close in the coming weeks, Mamardashvili will prepare for a new life at Liverpool and will link up with his new teammates on the first day of pre-season.
All year long, there have been question marks over whether the Georgian will arrive as first choice, or as back-up to Alisson Becker. Whatever his role is set to be, former Liverpool goalie Adrian has stepped in to offer some sage advice to the Reds’ new arrival.
Adrian offers Giorgi Mamardashvili advice
Adrian is well placed to give advice to Mamardashvili having spent five years as a back-up goalkeeper at Anfield.
Although the two keepers are at different stages of their careers, the principle remains the same: you’re competing with arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Alisson.
And as Mamardashvili prepares to battle the Brazilian at Liverpool, Adrian has told The Athletic what he should be expecting.
“As a player, your role at a football club changes, and you have to learn to adapt,” says the Spaniard. “But I always made sure I was ready if the manager needed me. I would give Giorgi Mamardashvili the same advice.”
“What he has to remember is, Liverpool have Brazil and the Republic of Ireland’s No 1 goalkeepers. It will be quite difficult for him to play as a No 1, but he’s young and has a lot to learn. We don’t know if he’ll be part of Liverpool’s squad next season, or return to Valencia or another club on loan. But having Alisson in front of you is a good chance to keep learning.”
Adrian does predict, however, that Mamardashvili’s time at Liverpool will arrive eventually.
“Footballers can be selfish, we want to play all the time, but that isn’t always possible,” he says. “So Mamardashvili just needs to remain patient and be prepared because at some point his time will come.”
Adrian admits he cried when leaving Liverpool
Adrian was a popular figure around the Liverpool dressing room across half a decade at the club. Although he was nowhere near Alisson’s level, he helped to drive standards in training.
Adrian is enjoying a surprise revival at Real Betis this season, but has now admitted that it was really tough for him to leave Anfield last summer.
“I cried when I left Liverpool,” says the 38-year-old. “I didn’t get a chance to say a proper goodbye to the fans, so I had to make a video on my social media. I was at home with my family and I just broke down after.”
Mamardashvili will hope to play far more than the 26 appearances Adrian made for Liverpool. But if he manages to create the same bond with the club he will have done well.
As a sage older head currently performing well in the league he is playing in, Mamardashvili would be wise to listen to Adrian’s advice.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
