“Outstanding”: Euro 2024 Coach Thinks Liverpool are Making a Top Signing, He Could Become One of the Very Best

Liverpool have yet to secure a summer signing, but new manager Arne Slot might be on the verge of making his first acquisition since taking over at Anfield.

Despite Slot’s arrival, it’s been a quiet summer for the club. Those anticipating significant changes following Jurgen Klopp’s departure may find themselves disappointed.

Liverpool did make an effort to land a major signing, but Martin Zubimendi opted to remain with Real Sociedad, rejecting the move to Anfield.

While that was a setback, Liverpool are now closing in on another La Liga talent, though the potential deal could still spark some surprise.

Georgia Coach on Liverpool Target Giorgi Mamardashvili

Liverpool have decided to shift their focus away from Martín Zubimendi and have even moved beyond prioritising the acquisition of a holding midfielder altogether.

Instead, the Reds are now pushing to complete the signing of Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are ‘getting close’ to securing Mamardashvili, with the deal reportedly in its ‘final stages.’

Romano further mentions that the agreement is valued at over €30 million (£25.6 million), and Mamardashvili is expected to return to Valencia on loan for one year.

This arrangement implies that Mamardashvili won’t be available for selection by Liverpool’s manager until the 2025-26 season.

Liverpool seemingly regard Mamardashvili as the successor to Alisson, and this move has been evaluated by Georgia’s national team coach, David Webb.

Webb, who previously worked as a scout for Tottenham Hotspur, is an unexpected yet intriguing choice to assist Willy Sagnol with the Georgian national team.

Mamardashvili delivered an outstanding performance at Euro 2024, where Georgia advanced past the group stage, prompting Webb to offer high praise for the towering goalkeeper.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Webb expressed that he believes Liverpool are making a ‘really shrewd’ acquisition in signing Mamardashvili, commending both his goalkeeping skills and character.

Webb also suggested that Mamardashvili has the potential to become one of the world’s top goalkeepers, and he supported the idea that the Georgian could challenge Alisson if such a competition arises.

“I think this is a really shrewd bit of a business,” said Webb. “Knowing him as we do, I think he’s got… not only the goalkeeping attributes, he’s an outstanding shot-stopper but he’s got a real good personality as well. When you work with him, you can see his character come out – he’s a very strong character, he’s a very hard worker, he’s very ambitious.”

“I think, in the next two or three years, in my opinion, he can probably become [one of] the top three or four goalkeepers in the world.”

“I’m sure, down the line, Alisson might not be at Liverpool forever and he would take his chances of competing against Alisson and seeing if he can get through as well because, if you look at his history, when he was at Valencia he was signed as a fourth-choice keeper when he first came in, so I think he worked his way up within a year or maybe 18 months, so he’s definitely got that fight in him to compete,” he added.

Alisson has been Liverpool’s standout goalkeeper for the past six years, but recent speculation has arisen regarding his future at the club.

Earlier this summer, Al-Nassr expressed interest in acquiring Alisson, reportedly offering the Brazilian a lucrative deal to join the Saudi Arabian club.

However, no agreement was reached, as Alisson is believed to be hesitant to jeopardize his position as Brazil’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Liverpool, while seeing Mamardashvili as a potential future number one, are also preparing for the possibility of another substantial offer from Saudi Arabia within the next year.

This situation is less favourable for Caoimhin Kelleher, as the Irish goalkeeper is likely to be passed over in favor of Mamardashvili.

Kelleher was keen on leaving Liverpool this summer, but it seems he will remain at the club, potentially aiming for a move in 2025 as Mamardashvili’s arrival becomes more imminent.

In other Liverpool news, How Liverpool Can Sign Giorgi Mamardashvili Without Breaking Premier League Rules