LIVERPOOL fans were sent into a frenzy in the week after their Champions League campaign suffered a major blow with their second loss of the 2025-26 season.
But to make matters worse, Liverpool manager Arne Slot revealed goalkeeper Alisson Becker suffered an injury during their defeat to Galatasaray in Istanbul.
His injury means the keeper will be absent from Liverpool’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Who is Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili?
But scout-like Slot is always prepared, and waiting in the wings to make his Premier League debut is Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The Georgian was signed from Valencia in the summer, a signing which was agreed over a year ago.
He arrived on Merseyside following four seasons in Spain and 134 appearances between the posts.
During his time with Valencia he also made his debut with the Georgian international team.
He swiftly became an integral part of the squad during the Euro 2024, in which he made 21 saves in the group stage, the joint-most by any keeper in the competition’s history.
How much did he sign for?
Mamardashvili signed for Liverpool in summer 2024 for £29m[/caption]
Off the back of his Euro 2024 success, the Georgian was snapped up early by the Reds.
Liverpool signed him for £29m, in a deal made up of a fee of £25m plus £4m in add-ons.
While Alisson remained the first-choice keeper after the signing of Mamardashvili, the sale of Caoimhin Kelleher to Brentford in the summer moved the 24-year-old up in the pecking order.
What happened to Alisson?
Alisson missed 10 games last season and will miss Saturday’s match away at Chelsea[/caption]
And yet, it is not certain whether Slot wanted to dispatch this signing as soon or as often in the season.
Mamardashvili has come in clutch for the Reds after Alisson was injured during Liverpool’s second Champions League fixture, which ended in defeat to Galatasaray.
Liverpool were behind after Okan Buruk’s squad were awarded and converted a spot-kick in the 16th minute, before Alisson went down injured in the 58th minute.
Alisson limped off after saving another from goalscorer Osimhen, while striker Hugo Ekitike then pulled up after stretching for the ball and also had to be replaced.
It contributed to a disappointing night in Istanbul for Slot’s side, after they suffered their perfect Premier League start came to an end against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
After the match, Slot said: “If my player is on the floor, nine out of 10 times I fear the worst, and with the worst I mean that he cannot continue,” Slot said.
“It’s never positive if you go off like this. You can be sure he is not playing Saturday.”
What’s more, it only furthers Alisson’s injury woes after he missed 10 Premier League games last season with a hamstring injury.
