{"url":"https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/giorgi-mamardashvili-liverpool-transition-end-era-looms-kbdm29czm","title":"Mamardashvili faces PSG test in Liverpool's goalkeeping shift","domain":"thetimes.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/29661271/pexels-photo-29661271.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"Liverpool goalkeeper action","category":"Sports","language":"en","slug":"a4ecbbf4","id":"a4ecbbf4-8c0c-405d-b620-2421ef52d06f","description":"Liverpool view Giorgi Mamardashvili as the long-term successor to Alisson Becker in goal.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Liverpool view **Giorgi Mamardashvili** as the long-term successor to **Alisson Becker** in goal.\n- The Georgian faces PSG in the Champions League, his biggest test yet at Anfield.[[1]](https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/giorgi-mamardashvili-liverpool-transition-end-era-looms-kbdm29czm)\n- He symbolises the club's shift from ageing stars like Alisson to a new generation.[[1]](https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/giorgi-mamardashvili-liverpool-transition-end-era-looms-kbdm29czm)\n\n## The story at a glance\n*The Times* piece frames **Giorgi Mamardashvili**, Liverpool's Georgia goalkeeper, as the figurehead for the club's generational handover, earmarked to succeed **Alisson Becker**. It highlights his upcoming Champions League clash with **PSG** as a pivotal moment in his early Anfield spell. This comes amid ongoing transition under manager **Arne Slot** post-Klopp, with Alisson's contract recently extended to 2027.[[1]](https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/giorgi-mamardashvili-liverpool-transition-end-era-looms-kbdm29czm)[[2]](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/transfer-talk/news/frustration-grows-for-liverpool-backup-as-reds-receive-multiple-enquiries_593962.html)\n\n## Key points\n- Mamardashvili joined from Valencia for around **£29m** in 2024 but stayed on loan there until summer 2025.[[3]](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13203708/giorgi-mamardashvili-liverpool-sign-goalkeeper-from-valencia-in-arne-slots-first-deal-but-he-will-arrive-next-summer)\n- He serves as backup to Alisson, playing mainly during the Brazilian's injuries (about **11-13 games** this season).[[4]](https://www.liverpool.com/all-about/giorgi-mamardashvili)[[5]](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/brad-friedel-giorgi-mamardashvili-alisson-33699391)\n- Liverpool triggered Alisson's one-year extension, keeping him until **2027** at age 34.[[2]](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/transfer-talk/news/frustration-grows-for-liverpool-backup-as-reds-receive-multiple-enquiries_593962.html)\n- At **25**, Mamardashvili is seen as the future No 1, though some question if he fully matches Alisson's level.[[5]](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/brad-friedel-giorgi-mamardashvili-alisson-33699391)\n- Reports note his frustration with limited starts, prompting enquiries from other clubs.[[6]](https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/giorgi-mamardashvili-exit-contact-made-alisson-decision-sources)\n\n## Details and context\nMamardashvili impressed at **Euro 2024** with Georgia, helping them reach the last 16, which drew Liverpool's interest as part of long-term planning like their past squad builds.[[7]](https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/liverpool-transfer-news-mamardashvili-gvg36dlqd) Alisson, signed for **£65m** in 2018, remains elite but faces injury issues and turns 34 soon, prompting succession talks.[[7]](https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/liverpool-transfer-news-mamardashvili-gvg36dlqd)\n\nThe club sold **Caoimhin Kelleher** to Brentford for **£18m**, leaving Mamardashvili as clear deputy.[[8]](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46615423/liverpool-giorgi-mamardashvili-alisson-georgia-premier-league-arne-slot-goalkeeper) Under Slot, rotation has been limited; Alisson starts when fit, even in cups.[[9]](https://www.thisisanfield.com/2026/02/mamardashvili-fa-cup-snub-slot-alisson-rotation-change)\n\n## Key quotes\n> \"Georgia goalkeeper, who has been earmarked to replace Alisson as torch passes from ageing greats, faces biggest game of early Anfield career against PSG on Wednesday.\" – Lead, *The Times*[[1]](https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/giorgi-mamardashvili-liverpool-transition-end-era-looms-kbdm29czm)\n\n> \"My time will come for sure. Maybe not this year, but my time will come.\" – **Giorgi Mamardashvili**[[10]](https://www.thisisanfield.com/2026/03/giorgi-mamardashvili-alisson-goalkeeper-battle)\n\n## Why it matters\nLiverpool's push beyond the **Klopp era** relies on smooth handovers like this in goal, where reliability under pressure defines title challenges. Fans and managers get a test of the next core, but limited minutes risk stunting Mamardashvili's growth or forcing a sale. Watch his PSG performance and Alisson's injury recovery; a strong run could cement the transition, though loan rumours persist if he stays sidelined.[[1]](https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/giorgi-mamardashvili-liverpool-transition-end-era-looms-kbdm29czm)","hashtags":["#football","#liverpool","#premierleague","#transfer","#goalkeeper","#championsleague"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/giorgi-mamardashvili-liverpool-transition-end-era-looms-kbdm29czm","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/liverpool/transfer-talk/news/frustration-grows-for-liverpool-backup-as-reds-receive-multiple-enquiries_593962.html","title":""},{"url":"https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13203708/giorgi-mamardashvili-liverpool-sign-goalkeeper-from-valencia-in-arne-slots-first-deal-but-he-will-arrive-next-summer","title":""},{"url":"https://www.liverpool.com/all-about/giorgi-mamardashvili","title":""},{"url":"https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/brad-friedel-giorgi-mamardashvili-alisson-33699391","title":""},{"url":"https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/giorgi-mamardashvili-exit-contact-made-alisson-decision-sources","title":""},{"url":"https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/liverpool-transfer-news-mamardashvili-gvg36dlqd","title":""},{"url":"https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/46615423/liverpool-giorgi-mamardashvili-alisson-georgia-premier-league-arne-slot-goalkeeper","title":""},{"url":"https://www.thisisanfield.com/2026/02/mamardashvili-fa-cup-snub-slot-alisson-rotation-change","title":""},{"url":"https://www.thisisanfield.com/2026/03/giorgi-mamardashvili-alisson-goalkeeper-battle","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-06T14:49:59.250Z"}