Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper questions Alisson succession plan and makes transfer prediction

When Liverpool signed Giorgi Mamardashvili, most presumed he would be the Reds' next long-term goalkeeper, but one former Premier League stopper is not convinced

Brad Friedel does not think Giorgi Mamardashvili will replace Alisson as first-choice Liverpool goalkeeper(Image: Getty Images)

Brad Friedel does not believe Giorgi Mamardashvili will be Alisson’s long-term successor at Liverpool and feels the Reds will look to sign a new no.1 in the coming years.

At 33, Alisson’s time as the club’s first-choice stopper is certainly nearing the end, with his place not helped by recurring injury issues in recent months. But the goalkeeper is expected to stick around for at least one more season, with the Brazilian penning a one-year extension last month.

That leaves Mamardashvili waiting in the wings. The talented goalkeeper joined last summer and has played second fiddle to Alisson, despite his previous experience as first-choice at Valencia and for the Georgian national team.

Mamardashvili has played 13 times this season - largely due to Alisson’s injury woes - and the expectation is the 25-year-old will replace Liverpool’s no.1 when he eventually moves on.

However, that’s not a view shared by Friedel. The ex-Liverpool keeper, who made 31 appearances for the club between 1998 and 1999, expects the Reds to look for another successor.

“Looking at Mamardashvili, it’s a tough one. For me, when he gets his game time, he has to deliver and be a safe pair of hands,” the American told Liverpool.com via Gambling.com, where you can find secure UK gambling sites.

Mamardashvili is widely seen as Liverpool's next long-term goalkeeper(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)

“He will make mistakes, all goalkeepers do, so it is also important how he bounces back from these mistakes to show his confidence and also deliver confidence for his defence, so they can perform at their best.

“If he can get over any mistake and learn quickly, then this can work well. I do, though, believe Liverpool will be scouting a new no.1 for when Alisson moves on.

“For a club like Liverpool, they need a top goalkeeper with experience as this is such a vital position on the pitch.”

Friedel was Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper for the second half of the 1997/98 season(Image: Getty)

Whoever replaces Alisson, Fridel feels they will have big shoes (or gloves) to fill.

“Alisson is up there with the best Premier League goalkeepers of all time,” opined the ex-Blackburn, Aston Villa and Tottenham star.

“He’s a multiple Premier League winner, he has been outstanding for Liverpool, so consistent and always at the top of his game.

“You look at how many points he has earned for Liverpool over the years with his saves; he gives so much confidence to his defence and look at the number of clean sheets over the seasons he has been at Liverpool too.

“You look at the likes of [Petr] Cech, [Peter] Schmeichel, [Ediwn] van der Sar, [David] Seaman and he is definitely in that conversation of being one of the best Premier League goalkeepers for sure.”