Giorgi Mamardashvili: Why do Liverpool want the Georgian's signature?

After summer of complete inaction in regards to incomings, Liverpool fans’ wait for the first signing of the Arne Slot era may be nearing an end. Though they will have to wait until 2025 for him to arrive on Merseyside.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, one of the heroes of this summer’s European Championships, is in the final stages of agreeing a move to the Anfield club in a deal worth over €30 million - but would also see the goalkeeper stay at Valencia until the summer of 2025.

But why are Liverpool so keen on the Georgian? Well, hopefully this piece provides an insight on what to expect from Alisson Becker’s potential successor.

Georgia. One of the stories of the summer. An already remarkable feat of qualifying for this summer’s European Championships was surpassed by their progression out of their group to set up a knockout match with eventual winners Spain.

But who was at the heart of this fairytale story? Yes, Mamardashvili.

It was always anticipated that the team with the lowest ranking would see a lot of shots during the competition, but their goalkeeper's performances this summer played a major role in why thousands of Georgians flocked to the streets to congratulate them on their incredible major tournament debut.

Mamardashvili ranked first for the most goals prevented (4.67) at EURO 2024 whilst also making more saves than any other keeper at the tournament.

The same goals prevented stat can be applied to the Georgian’s 23/24 La Liga campaign where he also ranks at the summit amongst his fellow shot stoppers (+11.3 - 39 conceded from 50.3 xG on target).

Liverpool currently employ the world’s best in Alisson. Arguably the greatest England’s top flight has ever seen. His influence in Liverpool’s successes during Jurgen Klopp’s tenure has been no secret. But his time will inevitably come in the near future like we’ve seen with many of The Reds’ stars over recent years.

Players of Alisson’s calibre are near impossible to replace but Mamardashvili’s numbers in terms of goals prevented at such a tender age for a keeper, in one of the best leagues in the world, as well as on the international stage, proved he may be well suited to be the Brazilian’s replacement.

Valencia’s number one also replicates Alisson’s skillset when it comes to using his feet, and his numbers suggest why Arne Slot is seriously interested in securing the 23. year-old’s services.

A fraction of Slot’s philosophy is seeing his side build from the back, something that isn’t unfamiliar in modern football. Mamardashvili ranked third in the top five U23 goalkeepers across Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes (6.89 per 90) - a figure that will be perceived as very attractive for the Dutchman.

Going back to Alisson. The reason why he sets himself apart from most, is his efficiency despite very rarely being called upon.

For club and country, the goalkeeper plays for two sides who are used to having the lion’s share of possession and rarely concede many clear cut chances - sometimes as little as one huge chance a game. But it’s that huge chance that determines a top side’s successes and how good their goalkeepers are.

You’ll need more than two hands to count the amount of Liverpool games that have required Alisson to make a match-winning save after being required to do absolutely nothing for the remainder of the game - and that’s why he’s the best. That’s the hardest skill of them all.

That will be the huge question for Mamardashvili if he is to be passed the baton from Alisson. Can you do it in those moments? Those moments that can be the difference between a side winning a final rather than falling short. Those moments that can be the difference from your side winning the league by a point instead of missing out by two.

Liverpool have been blessed to see some of the greatest players in recent years in their respective positions sport the famous Liver bird on their chest but transition is part of football. And amongst the fans the question “how do we replace him?” has already made its mark with the departures of Jurgen Klopp, Phillipe Coutinho and Sadio Mane.

Alisson will be amongst them names one day, unfortunatley. But this young Georgian keeper who has set La Liga, and more recently the European Champions alight with his current skillset and scary potential, could be an exciting coup for the Anfield side if a deal can be met.