Giorgi Mamardashvili is too good for Liverpool bench, his brilliant display gives Andoni Iraola headache
Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has strengthened his case for improved minutes under Andoni Iraola with a strong showing for Georgia.
Mamardashvili is biding his time to become a regular between the sticks for Liverpool ahead of Alisson.
The 26-year-old has never truly convinced fans and pundits when tasked with deputising for the Brazilian stopper since moving to Merseyside.
Iraola is unlikely to offer him any game time in the Premier League unless Alisson picks up an injury, like he did last season.
Mamardashvili's latest international display proves that he needs to be playing regularly at this stage of his career, with the number one spot at Anfield potentially up for grabs next summer.
Some more impressive performances when called upon in the coming months could give Iraola no choice but to make the Georgian his new first choice goalkeeper.
Giorgi Mamardashvili shone in Georgia's vital draw against Northern Ireland
Mamardashvili's sole club appearance of the campaign so far came in the Reds' 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Spurs last month.
He has been Georgia's number one for several years, however, and the 26-year-old proved his quality with an excellent display against Northern Ireland on Monday night.
Mamardashvili made five saves in 96 minutes, with his biggest coming in the 84th minute as Isaac Price was denied from the penalty spot.
His 1.52 goals prevented was ultimately what earned Georgia a point at Windsor Park, with 78 per cent pass accuracy, 10 ball recoveries and three high claims rounding off a superb individual showing.
It was a timely reminder of his quality between the sticks, with just two goals conceded in the Georgians' first four Nations League 2026-27 fixtures.
Mamardashvili wants more minutes in the Premier League, according to Football Insider's sources, and he will surely be in line to take Alisson's place if he puts in some more strong cup showings for the Reds.
Iraola has given hope to Mamardashvili in fight for more game time
Lucca Brughmans impending arrival at Anfield next summer will complicate things even further for Mamardashvili.
Alisson is out of contract next June, but the young Belgian now looks a more likely candidate to be his successor than Mamardashvili.
Iraola has still signified that he has a role to play, however, and praised the Georgian stopper before he impressed against Spurs last month by saying: "I rate Giorgi very highly. I know him from Spain. We tried to sign him for Bournemouth before I came here. For me, he’s a very good keeper, and he’s going to start tomorrow.”
Mamardashvili clearly deserves a real chance to prove himself as Liverpool's future number one, but whether he will be given such an opportunity remains to be seen.