Liverpool have a goalkeeping drawback. No longer a nasty one — a in reality just right one — however an issue that trainer Arne Slot should clear up however.
Slot has arguably the sector’s easiest goalkeeper in his squad in Alisson Becker, and second-choice keeper Caoimhín Kelleher is appeared by way of many — along Manchester Town’s Stefan Ortega — as the most efficient understudy within the Premier League and most likely the perfect long-term successor to Alisson.
However with Liverpool nonetheless heading in the right direction for luck within the Premier League, Carabao Cup and UEFA Champions League this season, it has virtually been forgotten that considered one of Alisson or Kelleher is more likely to go away this summer season to make manner for Slot’s first primary signing as trainer, Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Editor’s Choices
2 Comparable
The six-foot-six Georgia world, one of the most breakout stars at Euro 2024 as his nation reached the around of 16, sealed a £29 million switch final August prior to instantly being loaned again to Valencia throughout this season. But if he arrives at Anfield this summer season, who will Mamardashvili be competing with for the No. 1 blouse? And can the 24-year-old be content material to sit down at the bench having waited a yr to make his giant transfer to the membership?
With fallen giants Valencia scuffling with towards relegation, Mamardashvili has a minimum of been saved busy all over his 23 LaLiga appearances this season, protecting 5 blank sheets and conceding 39 objectives from 94 pictures confronted — a save proportion of 58.1%. Alisson, in contrast, has underlined his standing as the sector’s easiest by way of conceding simply 18 objectives in 21 Premier League video games for Liverpool this season from 64 pictures confronted — a save proportion of 73.5%. Kelleher has best made 8 Premier League appearances, however his document of 9 objectives conceded from 33 pictures confronted places him just about Alisson’s figures with a save proportion of 72.7%.
Mamardashvili has had a hard season in a suffering group and, after creating a mistake which ended in a purpose all over Saturday’s 2-1 win towards backside group Actual Valladolid (move a replay on ESPN+ within the U.S.), he issued a remark on his Instagram account to confess his deficient shape this season.
“I do know I am not in my easiest second now,” Mamardashvili stated in his publish. “However I am satisfied that demanding situations make us more potent. I am setting up my easiest effort to be the most efficient model of me once imaginable.”
It has virtually been forgotten that considered one of Alisson Becker or Caoimhín Kelleher is more likely to go away Liverpool this summer season to make manner for Giorgi Mamardashvili.. Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC
Whilst Mamardashvili is on the lookout for shape, most likely distracted by way of the possibility of his summer season transfer to Liverpool, Alisson has been exceptional. Due to the Brazil world’s efficiency final week at Paris Saint-Germain within the first leg in their Champions League round-of-16 tie, Liverpool pass into Tuesday’s moment leg at Anfield maintaining a 1-0 merit towards the Ligue 1 leaders.
It used to be one of the unbelievable particular person performances in Champions League historical past by way of a goalkeeper. Alisson’s 9 saves towards PSG had been essentially the most by way of a Liverpool keeper in a Champions League sport since Opta started recording knowledge in 2003-04.
However the predicament dealing with Slot and Liverpool is whether or not to stay with Alisson as their undisputed first-choice and offload the 26-year-old Kelleher this summer season; or to play the lengthy sport, as Liverpool have accomplished so effectively lately, by way of as a substitute shifting Alisson prior to they have got to deal with the 32-year-old’s contractual scenario all over the following 365 days.
Alisson is below contract till the top of subsequent season, however Liverpool dangle the choice of extending that deal for an additional yr to June 2027. The previous AS Roma participant, who changed into the sector’s most costly goalkeeper when he finished a £66.8m transfer to Anfield in July 2018, will best be 34 on the finish of the 2026-27 season, so triggering his contract possibility turns out an evident resolution.
STREAM ESPN FC DAILY ON ESPN+
Dan Thomas is joined by way of Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and others to carry you the newest highlights and debate the most important storylines. Circulation on ESPN+ (U.S. best).
But when Liverpool retain Alisson this summer season, as turns out sure, it could ascertain Kelleher’s go out, with the Republic of Eire world, whose contract expires in 2026, telling journalists final September that he sought after to play common first-team soccer.
“I have made it transparent in the previous few years that I wish to pass and be a No. 1 and play week in, week out,” Kelleher stated. “The membership’s made that call to get any other goalkeeper and from the outdoor having a look in, it looks as if they have got decided to move in a distinct path.
“From time to time from the outdoor having a look in, it looks as if that is 100% my resolution [to leave] however every now and then it is not at all times in my fingers. My ambition is apparent that I feel I am just right sufficient and I wish to pass out and end up it.”
A yr in the past, when Liverpool sealed a deal for Mamardashvili, Alisson have been the topic of passion from Saudi Professional League aspect Al Nassr, with the participant pronouncing on the time: “Whilst you listen concerning the numbers different avid gamers are getting for enjoying in Saudi, you’re a little bit attracted, this is customary, however it by no means were given to the purpose the place I used to be speaking about wages.”
He added: “I’ve a freelance with Liverpool and I wish to end it, or make a brand new one. If it is within the passion of the membership to barter me with any other membership, then it’ll be a distinct dialog. I am open [to Saudi Arabia], however now not at this time.”
But when Saudi passion re-emerges this summer season, Liverpool would have a major resolution to make — particularly after permitting Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold to go into the general six months in their contracts on the identical time this season.
Liverpool can not have enough money to make the similar mistake with Alisson, particularly if taking part in the ready sport has the knock-on impact of forcing Kelleher to transport on. Mamardashvili, in the meantime, is the forgotten guy who might be anything else at Liverpool subsequent season — first-choice, bench-warmer or loaned out once more — if the membership fail to be decisive with Alisson and Kelleher.
However as for Slot, he simply must come to a decision between 3 exceptional goalkeepers, which is not a nasty place to be in.
