Who will be Liverpool’s starting goalkeeper next season is one of the major pieces of uncertainty surrounding the club this summer.
Where they have been able to count on Alisson Becker over the past eight years, the Brazilian’s future is much less clear-cut this time around, with a move to Juventus seemingly on the cards.
Alisson’s exit is likely to enable Giorgi Mamardashvili to take charge as Liverpool‘s new No. 1. But after fans watched him ship four goals during his 20th appearance for the club on Friday, they have decided that they would rather see someone else between the sticks instead.
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After Liverpool’s dismal 4-2 defeat against Aston Villa on Friday, Rousing The Kop asked readers on Facebook for their views on Mamardashvili taking over from Alisson. Sadly for the Georgian, he did not receive much support at all.
With hundreds of comments quickly flooding in, almost all were to declare the hope that he is not Liverpool’s regular keeper next season.
“He is not good, I am really missing Alisson and Kelleher,” said one supporter. “Just bring Kelleher back” echoed another. “His dream was to be Liverpool number 1 goalkeeper.”
“Needs to step up his game,” was another verdict, with someone else declaring that Mamardashvili is ‘nowhere near ready.’
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“Good shot stopper, but not the type of goalkeeper Liverpool need especially when we play a high line,” was one of the more rational comments. “Should have sent Kelleher on loan not sell him.”
“Where did Arne Slot watch this guy perform before signing him,” another fan added, with plenty more claiming that Kelleher, or even Freddie Woodman should be ahead of Mamardashvili.
Minority come out in support of Mamardashvili
It has been difficult for Mamardashvili to show the best version of himself this season, but that is true of virtually every single player at the club.
As a result, fans should be careful of writing him off too quickly, with one Georgian commenter launching a staunch defence of his countryman, who is still only 25.
“Giorgi Mamardashvili is the kind of goalkeeper who should be judged not by one mistake, but by his character,” they said.
“The people criticizing him today will be the same ones praising his performances tomorrow. The strongest players always go through difficult moments – that’s part of growth. Giorgi has something that cannot be taught: composure, confidence, and the mentality of a future world-class goalkeeper.”
What did you make of Salah’s explosive statement before his last game for the club?
This sounds like it was aimed at Slot…
“Years from now, people won’t remember the criticism – they’ll remember how a young boy from Georgia became one of the best goalkeepers in the world!!”
Others pointed to the fact that Mamardashvili has hardly stood a chance with such a dysfunctional defence in front of him.
“He is okay. His defence leaves him vulnerable,” said one fan, with someone else adding: “When he has the shower of **** in front of him what chance does he have.”
Though these voices were very much in the minority, it is perhaps worth reserving judgement on Mamardashvili for when the team as a whole is in a better place. Still young, he should certainly not be written off yet.
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