Liverpool’s recent signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia has sparked interest and curiosity among fans. To gain a deeper understanding of Mamardashvili and his potential impact at Liverpool, This Is Anfield spoke to Ruairidh Barlow, editor of Football Espana.
In Spain, Mamardashvili’s decision to join Liverpool has been widely understood. His arrival at Valencia for a bargain price of €850,000 surprised everyone, and he was initially expected to be the third-choice goalkeeper or even play for their B team. However, an injury crisis thrust him into the spotlight, and he quickly proved himself with some impressive saves. From then on, he became the team’s first-choice goalkeeper. Given Valencia’s current lack of competitiveness for European spots and the tendency for their best young talents to move on, Mamardashvili’s move to Liverpool was not unexpected. He has been one of La Liga’s best goalkeepers for the past three years, and many believe he is ready for a big move.
The £30 million fee for Mamardashvili may seem high, but Barlow believes it is actually a bargain. With at least 10 more years at the top level and only three years of experience at that level, Mamardashvili has plenty of room for improvement. He was consistently ranked among the best goalkeepers in Spain last season, with a remarkable differential between expected goals conceded and actual goals conceded. His saves and save percentage have also been impressive throughout his career. If he were playing for a title-contending team, his price tag would likely be much higher. However, Valencia’s financial struggles have led them to sell players below their market value in recent years, creating an opportunity for Liverpool to secure a top goalkeeper at a reasonable price.
When it comes to Mamardashvili’s playing style, he is described as a towering and agile goalkeeper. At 6’6″, he possesses an imposing presence in the box. His reflexes are exceptional, and his positioning is generally solid. Mamardashvili has a knack for anticipating where forwards will place the ball, allowing him to make crucial saves. The Inspector Gadget comparison is fitting, given his ability to stretch his limbs and deny opponents even when they seem certain to score. Additionally, his height enables him to dominate the box during set-pieces, an area he has improved upon. However, like many modern goalkeepers, Mamardashvili prefers punching the ball rather than catching it.
Despite his strengths, Mamardashvili still has areas to work on. He is described as having a somewhat raw aspect to his game. While he is becoming more daring and comfortable outside his six-yard box, he still tends to stick to the safety of his area. His accuracy in long distribution is impressive, but he can sometimes exhibit anxiousness when in possession. He is adequate in terms of ball control and is improving, but he tends to opt for high balls when under pressure rather than attempting precise ground passes. Furthermore, while he is difficult to beat in one-on-one situations, he could benefit from being slightly quicker off his line. Mamardashvili’s approach to goalkeeping seems to be focused on saving his team rather than proactively preventing chances before they arise.
In terms of his future at Liverpool, Barlow believes Mamardashvili has the potential to become a top goalkeeper. Although he still needs to prove himself in the Champions League, he is already considered among the second tier of goalkeepers in Spain, just below the elite level. If a team were to start from scratch in La Liga, Mamardashvili would likely be the top choice, second only to Thibaut Courtois. While there may be some stylistic adjustments to be made, Mamardashvili has all the qualities to succeed and has already proven to be a match-winner for his team. If he maintains his current level of performance, Liverpool fans may not even notice a drop-off from Alisson, who is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Mamardashvili’s signing has certainly generated excitement at Liverpool, and fans will be eagerly anticipating his performances and development this season. With his talent and potential, Mamardashvili could be the future of goalkeeping at Liverpool, and his arrival signals the club’s commitment to securing top-quality players to maintain their success.