Giorgi Mamardashvili can finally say that he’s a Liverpool player after he officially joined the club this summer.
Indeed, he was initially brought in last term, but since the Reds still had Caoimhin Kelleher among their ranks, the Georgian was sent back to Valencia on a season-long loan.
And, although Mamardashvili may have been given a few games in pre-season for the Reds, it’s clear that he’s going to be Arne Slot’s second choice behind Alisson.
The Georgia international has been given plenty of plaudits for his performances over the last few seasons, with Peter Schmeichel even dubbing him as one of the best ‘keepers in the world, but that doesn’t mean that things always go his way.
Georgia and Turkey fans were left unimpressed by Giorgi Mamardashvili’s performance on Thursday
Now that the international break is upon us, it’s a chance for those who don’t often play for Liverpool to prove their worth and stake their claim for a starting spot.
And, while some, such as Cody Gakpo and Conor Bradley, have proven that they have what it takes to carry their national teams forward, Mamardashvili couldn’t do the same.
Fans took to X to share their disappointment in Mamardashvili’s performance, with one saying: “Uğurcan was quite good. The Mamardashvili they call very good conceded 3 goals, no proper saves.”
Another added: “If someone looked at Mamardashvili’s mistakes in his recent Turkey matches, they would say this guy isn’t worth 300 thousand euros, (the Liverpool goalkeeper).”
A fourth fan went in on the ‘keeper and said: “Mamardashvili played poorly, even worse, but Liverpool will likely trust him and hand over the goal after Alisson. These things happen not by getting discouraged from one match but by trusting and supporting.”
A fifth fan added: “Mamardashvili is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He did NOTHING in this game. Did he make even one save???”
And lastly, a seventh claimed: “The ball that comes to Georgia is different from the ball that comes to Liverpool, but Mamardashvili needs to improve himself.”
Giorgi Mamardashvili needs to make the most of the game time he gets
As has been the case with any second-string goalkeeper for Liverpool over the last few years, they’re only going to get a look in during the Carabao Cup or if Alisson is injured.
The Brazilian is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and without him among their ranks, Liverpool would have likely been far less competitive, with the club certainly winning fewer trophies.
And, even though Mamardashvili may have been seen as one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga last term, the fact that he isn’t making the most of his game time for Georgia is quite concerning.
Indeed, he’s still just 24 years old, so there’s plenty of time for him to grow into a better player, but without enough game time, he could end up stagnating.
However, if the ‘keeper continues putting in performances like he did on Thursday in Georgia’s 3-1 defeat to Turkey, it’s going to be hard for Slot to trust him between the sticks in the future.
At the moment, it’s anyone’s guess what could happen, but if he doesn’t have a good game in Georgia’s next clash against Bulgaria on 7 September, he can kiss his chances of starting at Liverpool goodbye.
That is, for now at least.
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