Van Dijk and Gravenberch react to Mamardashvili’s ‘special’ Liverpool message
Giorgi Mamardashvili has taken to social media to express his gratitude after making his Liverpool debut.
The Georgia international agreed a deal to move to Anfield last summer but remained at Valencia for one more year.
Mamardashvili left the Spanish giants after making 134 appearances across all competitions, conceding 160 goals and keeping 39 clean sheets (Transfermarkt).
The 24-year-old — who starred for Georgia at Euro 2024 — is now a fully-fledged Liverpool player and made his debut in Sunday’s friendly against Preston North End.
Giorgi Mamardashvili reacts to Liverpool debut
Mamardashvili played 45 minutes as Liverpool swept Preston aside 3-1 at Deepdale — thanks to goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo — becoming the first-ever Georgian to feature for the Reds in the process.
The Premier League champions were dominant, meaning the goalkeeper wasn’t required to make a save. However, he did complete 14 of his 18 passes while making four recoveries, two throws and one punch (FotMob).
Back-up stopper Freddie Woodman was brought on at half-time to play the club he’s just left to join Liverpool, with Alisson absent from he squad.
After the match, Mamardashvili took to Instagram to reflect on his big day.
“Hello Reds,” he wrote in a post liked by new teammates Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch. “Special moment in my life. Making my debut for Liverpool FC.
“I’m proud to be the first Georgian player to represent this legendary club.
“I know what this means for my family and for all the Georgian people.
“Thank you for the support. This is just the beginning.”
Liverpool’s elite goalkeeping group
Football Insider verdict
Alisson has long been established as one of the greatest goalkeepers on the planet right now, with his exploits guiding Liverpool to multiple major honours — not least the Premier League title.
To add someone of Mamardashvili’s quality to that mix doesn’t bear thinking about for the rest of the English top-flight.
| 2024/25 La Liga stats | Giorgi Mamardashvili |
| Appearances | 34 |
| Saves | 93 |
| Save percentage | 66% |
| Goals conceded | 48 |
| Clean sheets | 8 |
Mamardashvili made 93 saves in La Liga last season, while he also proved a man for big moments, saving two of the seven penalties he faced.
And even beyond the main two, Arne Slot can call upon Woodman in an emergency — a 28-year-old former England youth international with over 200 senior games under his belt for the likes of Preston, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Swansea.
The Liverpool goalposts are in very safe hands.