On a night where Liverpool’s deepening issues were laid bare at Villa Park on Friday, the question marks over Giorgi Mamardashvili reached unignorable levels.
The Georgian has, predictably, had to play plenty of matches this season as Alisson Becker continues to build his reputation as a part time No. 1.
And while Mamardashvili has done well on occasion, he has not convinced to the level that Liverpool will be comfortable with the possibility of him taking over duties from Alisson on a full time basis in 2026/27.
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Friday night against Aston Villa was another example of this. The 25-year-old looked uncertain from the very first minute of the game, and though he was perhaps unlucky to concede four, there is a strong argument that the goalie could have done better on at least three of them.
As they approach as summer which they have to navigate perfectly, there is enough evidence to suggest that if Alisson does depart, Mamardashvili cannot be the man to replace him.
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When they signed Mamardashvili in 2024, Liverpool were clearly preparing themselves for Alisson’s departure. You don’t spend almost £30m on a goalkeeper to be a long-term No. 2.
Nevertheless, Liverpool should not feel obligated to give the former Valencia shot-stopper that chance. There are mitigating factors of course, but that the jury is still out on him after 20 appearances is not a good sign.
On Friday, it was damning that Villa hit four goals from an xG of 1.91, and although that spoke to the quality of efforts from Morgan Rogers and John McGinn in particular, Mamardashvili will have been disappointed not to have saved more.
He was arguably slow to react to Rogers’ telegraphed effort, while he should really have been able to direct McGinn’s shot away having reached it with a big hand.
Ollie Watkins’ first goal looked untidy from a goalkeeping perspective, and despite Mamardashvili making two good saves in the lead-up to Watkins’ second of the night, he pawed the ball straight back into the six yard box for the striker to score.
Even worse was his kicking, with only seven out of 12 long balls reaching their intended target, and a couple of customary kicks into touch blotting his performance further.
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Who should be Liverpool’s No. 1 next season?
It was not all bad from Mamardashvili and he deserves some praise for statistically preventing a further 1.25 goals. There are some good things mixed in with the concerning.
Despite that, fans would feel much more comfortable if Liverpool could simply persuade Alisson to see out the final year of his contract next season.
Mamardashvili clearly still has plenty to learn before taking on a permanent starting berth, and with Alisson likely to miss plenty more football again, he’ll get his chances to hone his craft.
If the Brazilian legend does go, it is going to be difficult for whoever comes in to replace him. But with his performances this season, Mamardashvili has ensured that the spotlight will be even more fiercely shining upon him.
It is not too late for Liverpool to go out and get another, more ready-made goalkeeper this summer. If they do not, and they head into next season relying on him along with a clear back-up, it will be too late. More nights like this will surely occur.
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