In addition to their recent run of frustrating results, Liverpool were dealt another setback with the news that Alisson Becker, in my view, the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and arguably in world football, will be sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring injury.
The timing of the international break offers a silver lining by allowing him to begin his recovery without missing as many matches, but it’s almost certain that Liverpool’s No. 1 will be unavailable for the massive upcoming clash against Manchester United— and potentially for several fixtures beyond that.
Ali’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, especially given the form he’s in; without his string of first-half saves against Crystal Palace, Liverpool would have been out of that match after 45 minutes.
But, if there’s one thing this club has proven over the years, it’s that they’re capable of turning backup goalkeepers into high-level contributors.
Proven success with backups
Consider Caoimhín Kelleher, who stepped in superbly during Alisson’s absence last season. He helped keep Liverpool’s title push going and even delivered signature moments of his own including an instantly iconic penalty save against Kylian Mbappé.
His performances were so impressive that he now starts for Brentford, further proof that Liverpool’s coaching staff know how to prepare a backup for the spotlight.
Supporters will now be hoping that Alisson’s replacement and the club’s keeper of the future, Giorgi Mamardashvili, can deliver at a similarly high level— and there are plenty of reasons to believe he’s capable of doing so.
Despite the recent 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, it was difficult to fault Mamardashvili for either goal. No goalkeeper in the world was stopping Moisés Caicedo’s thunderbolt, and the winner stemmed more from Andy Robertson losing his man at the back post.
Even so, the No. 2 still showed real promise— most notably with two outstanding saves on Jamie Gittens and Estevão within 30 seconds of each other in the 84th minute.
Success in Spain
Looking back at his pre-Liverpool career, Mamardashvili consistently ranked among La Liga’s top ten goalkeepers for clean sheets recorded between the 2021/22 and 2024/25 seasons with Valencia, posting 36 shutouts in 127 appearances.
This was an an impressive output given he was playing behind a mid-table defense.
Additionally, as Liverpool’s future main man, Mamardashvili has demonstrated a quality that goes beyond the stat sheet: durability.
Alongside his stellar performances in Spain, he broke the La Liga record for most consecutive games started by a goalkeeper, with 69 appearances.
This remarkable streak suggests that his ability to stay fit over long stretches could continue at Merseyside, where Alisson has set a high standard for career longevity.
The contests ahead
Mamardashvili could benefit from a favorable matchup upon his Premier League home debut, as Manchester United visit Anfield on October 19.
While facing such an intense rival might seem daunting for a player still acclimating to England’s top flight, the Red Devils have yet to display a potent attack this season, ranking just 11th in the league for goals scored with nine.
Moreover, in their last five trips to Anfield, United have managed just a single goal, suggesting that Mamardashvili could enter the clash with a tangible advantage against a side that has consistently struggled to score at Liverpool’s home ground.
Assuming Alisson sits out following the Northwest Derby, as it could be wise to keep the Brazilian rested, the Reds have a Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on the horizon; this would give Mamardashvili the opportunity to make his first-ever start in the competition.
Given that Frankfurt are the highest-scoring team in the Bundesliga this season after Bayern Munich and recently thrashed Galatasaray, the very team that defeated Liverpool, Mamardashvili will undoubtedly face a significant challenge if selected for the match.
It will be fascinating to see how Mamardashvili handles stepping into action during such a crucial point in the season, perhaps sooner than expected.
But given his track record in Spain as a key player for Valencia, combined with his promising, albeit limited, time at Liverpool, fans have every reason to believe the Georgian can help restore the club to its pre-slump form.