Giorgi Mamardashvili finally made his long-awaited Liverpool debut, stepping onto the pitch for the first time in an emotional preseason clash against Preston—a moment that had been a year in the making for the Georgian goalkeeper.
The match, Liverpool’s opening fixture of the preseason, was marked by heartfelt tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, with the Reds playing their first game since their tragic passing.
Manager Arne Slot opted for a fresh-faced lineup as summer preparations began, with key players like Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Alexis Mac Allister, and new recruit Florian Wirtz all sitting out the game at Deepdale.
Mamardashvili, who officially joined Liverpool this summer following a deal agreed with Valencia last year, was given his first start. He featured in the opening half, offering fans an early glimpse at what he could bring to the side.
Early Observations
The early stages of the match carried a typical preseason tone, with both teams easing back into rhythm. As a result, Mamardashvili wasn’t called upon much in terms of shot-stopping, but he saw a fair bit of the ball at his feet. He showed composure in possession, which may help ease concerns some supporters had about his footwork—a known weakness at times over the past year, despite his strengths as a shot-stopper.
He’s likely to face sterner tests as preseason progresses, but for now, the initial signs were positive—and he nearly had a standout moment to remember.
A Near-Alisson Moment
In a surprising twist, Mamardashvili nearly picked up an assist on his debut. Midway through the first half, he sent a long ball forward that landed perfectly at Federico Chiesa’s feet. The Italian forward turned his marker and charged toward goal, but couldn’t quite shake off his defender. His shot was blocked, and his rebound attempt went wide.
Had Chiesa scored, it would’ve drawn immediate comparisons to Alisson Becker’s memorable assists to Mohamed Salah. While it didn’t come off, it showed Mamardashvili’s vision and distribution ability—and hinted at more to come.
Commanding Presence
At 6’6″, Mamardashvili certainly makes his presence known in goal. That physicality was on display late in the first half when he confidently punched away a threatening cross—accidentally colliding with a teammate in the process. Unfazed, he calmly returned to his position, having done his job.
Although he wasn’t seriously tested, Mamardashvili ended his debut with a clean sheet. His first appearance suggests Liverpool may have secured a solid successor to Caoimhin Kelleher—and a credible challenger to Alisson moving forward.
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