Liverpool have lastly made a signing and it has come within the form of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia.
The goalkeeper arrives on the membership for a deal price £29 million together with add-ons, however heads again to Valencia for the season.
It is going to be attention-grabbing to control his performances this season in La Liga as we glance to the way forward for goalkeeping at Liverpool.
To get the lowdown on Mamardashvili and what he may provide Liverpool, This Is Anfield spoke to Ruairidh Barlow (@RuriBarlow), editor of Soccer Espana.
Firstly, what’s the view in Spain round Giorgi Mamardashvili’s determination to affix Liverpool?
Most individuals perceive it.
Mamardashvili took everybody in Spain abruptly, arriving for €850,000 from Dinamo Tbilisi and was alleged to be their third alternative, perhaps even that includes for his or her B staff.
The very first week, they’d an damage disaster and Jose Bordalas trusted him – he made some nice saves, earned them a degree, and was kind of first alternative from then on.
Valencia usually are not difficult significantly for Europe for the time being and their finest younger skills don’t grasp round for lengthy today, so it’s a transfer most individuals noticed coming.
He’s been the most effective in La Liga over the previous three years – it looks like Mamardashvili has been round for lots longer because of how dependable he’s been – and other people suppose he’s prepared for an enormous transfer.
The price is near £30 million – do you suppose he’s price that?
If something, it’s low cost.
Mamardashvili has no less than 10 years on the high degree left and having solely began competing on the high degree three years in the past, there may be loads of room for enchancment.
Scour by the groups of the season final 12 months and also you’ll see a whole lot of Mamardashvili.
For context, Thibaut Courtois may need been injured however Andriy Lunin was essential in Actual Madrid attending to the Champions League remaining, and Spain’s No. 1 Unai Simon was additionally round.
Definitely he was the very best round in Spain for me final season and fairly most likely the rationale Valencia have been on the fringes of a European race, slightly than nervously hanging across the backside 5 – 6.
+11.3 – In LaLiga final season, Giorgi Mamardashvili conceded 39 targets (excl. personal targets) regardless of dealing with pictures heading in the right direction with a mixed anticipated targets heading in the right direction worth of fifty.3. This 11.3 targets prevented was the best by any goalkeeper within the competitors in 2023-24. Barricade. pic.twitter.com/JoWy4yXt2J
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 26, 2024
The differential between anticipated targets conceded and targets conceded was 8.2 final 12 months, the most important determine in Spain, and the third-highest in Europe’s high 5 leagues. Each season he has been ranked extremely for saves and save proportion.
In a staff competing for titles, you’ll be estimating figures a lot nearer to double the value for Mamardashvili, however Valencia’s monetary struggles imply they’ve been promoting under worth for a number of years.
That is additionally a summer season the place most of Europe’s greatest sides have already got goalkeepers, so there’s an abundance in the marketplace too, as evidenced by the actual fact Liverpool have already got a No. 1.
What sort of goalkeeper is he? We’re used to a sweeper-keeper with Alisson…
He’s a cat, however a 6’6″ cat, it’s a uncommon breed. Mamardashvili is imposing, hulking and has no proper to be as agile and fast on his toes as he’s.
All through every season, you could possibly put collectively a highlights package deal of forwards ever so barely beginning to flip away and have a good time earlier than Mamardashvili flashes a limb out, down or up.
His reflexes are nearly as good as anybody round and his positioning is usually fairly sturdy, permitting him to make the magic occur.
Mamardashvili has a great learn on the place forwards will put the ball and can edge in the direction of the best place with out over-committing.
Supplied with fedora and parka, you get the Inspector Gadget comparability.
His top implies that he can dominate the field from set-pieces too, one thing he has improved on. Though, like most goalkeepers these days, he prefers a punch over catching the ball.
Does he have any weaknesses he’ll have to work on?
There’s nonetheless a uncooked side to him.
As described, he matches the traditional mould of goalkeeper and whereas he’s studying and changing into more and more daring, Mamardashvili prefers the consolation of his six-yard field to the brisk, recent air exterior his space.
Due partially right down to Valencia’s strategy, but in addition his accuracy, he ranked extremely for progressive passing yards together with his lengthy distribution.
That traditional really feel to Mamardashvili, one in every of security and at occasions the invincible with out the ball, is traded off for a slight trace of anxiousness when he has the ball.
He’s enough in possession and enhancing, however he wouldn’t naturally try a straight go alongside the bottom in the direction of the centre circle and has no qualms about hoisting the ball excessive if he comes beneath strain.
Whereas he’s nonetheless tough to beat in one-on-one conditions, he’s maybe half a second slower than a goalkeeping coach would possibly like off his line.
Mamardashvili most likely seems at goalkeeping as saving his staff, slightly than proactively stopping possibilities earlier than they happen.
Lastly, are you able to see him changing into adequate to take over from Alisson, who Liverpool view as the most effective goalkeepers on this planet?
Whereas Jan Oblak and Marc-Andre ter Stegen usually are not what they as soon as have been, to be up there with the highest ‘keepers in Spain is not any small feat.
You must see it within the Champions League however there’s an argument to say he’s in that second tier of goalkeepers under the very high degree already.
Have been you beginning a staff tomorrow in La Liga, you’d most likely take Mamardashvili over each different ‘keeper, except for Courtois.
Stylistically there is perhaps just a few teething drawback however Mamardashvili has the substances to be a high goalkeeper and is already answerable for profitable his facet various factors each season.
Ought to he stay on the degree he’s at now, I doubt Liverpool followers would discover a lot of a drop-off because it stands, and he has loads of time to get higher.
Thanks once more to Ruairidh Barlow for sharing perception on the Reds’ new goalkeeper. You possibly can comply with Ruairidh on X @RuriBarlow
