Liverpool’s £29m switch enduring terrible season with relegation risk looming
Soon to be Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili thinks Valencia can steer clear of La Liga relegation.
Mamardashvili became hot property following his impressive displays for Georgia at UEFA Euro 2024, with Liverpool bagging him for a bargain £25million plus £4m in extras. The ‘keeper is tipped to be the heir to Alisson Becker’s throne between the sticks in in Merseyside.
Despite his Anfield switch, Mamardashvili was loaned back to Valencia for the 2024/25 season which has been disappointing so far – they currently prop up the table with just one point and were defeated 3-0 by Atletico Madrid last weekend.
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The Valencia shot-stopper gave his thoughts on the team’s torrid start to the Spanish domestic season, he explained: “Valencia, this city and this club have changed my life and I want to give everything I can this year. “Valencia has been key in my career, it has helped me a lot these past three years, they have been incredible and I want to say thank you,” reports the Mirror.
When quizzed if Valencia could claw back, Mamardashvili said determinedly: “Yes, of course. We have to recover everything and I am convinced that we are going to win. Of course we have to change the dynamic because the five games have been very difficult.”
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
On a personal level, Mamardashvili is delighted after being shortlisted for the prestigious Lev Yashin Award, to be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. Speaking of his dream nomination, the Georgia native shared: “When I was in Georgia, it was my dream to be one of the best, being nominated for one of the Ballon d’Ors was a huge joy. When I got the news, I thought, ‘My God, I’m already there.'”
He is up against some of Europe’s elite such as Diogo Costa and Gianluigi Donnarumma for the esteemed award. Meanwhile, he has held off joining Liverpool instantly due to his quest for more match time, wary that his minutes could be limited with Alisson at the helm.
However, rumours are circulating that the Reds might see a goalie shuffle next summer with Alisson possibly exiting and backup Kelleher itching for prime playing time.
While Liverpool rebuffed an offer from Nottingham Forest for Kelleher this summer, the Irishman has big dreams, and Slot‘s most recent stance was fairly cryptic, he said: “Maybe [he has to think of himself], but we have to make decisions as well.”
He added: “It’s not only the player. If you work at a club like Liverpool, you need competition and you need a lot of good players. Like I said, Mamardashvili is someone for the long-term future of the club and I’m really, really happy with the goalkeepers we have at the moment.”
