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Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland says he can relate to how Giorgi Mamardashvili will be feeling with Alisson Becker closing in on a return to action.
Alisson remains out with the hamstring injury he suffered against Galatasaray at the end of September, though he has recently been seen back at the AXA Training Centre. In his absence, Mamardashvili has stepped in.
The 25-year-old, who stayed with Valencia last season before completing his move to Anfield, had already built a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting young goalkeepers during his three years in Spain.
Alisson now appears close to a comeback and could be in contention to feature against Nottingham Forest on November 22, after the international break.
Kirkland can empathize with the situations facing both goalkeepers. Like Alisson, the former England international spent much of his career battling injuries, and—just as Liverpool did with the Brazilian years later—the club broke the British transfer record for a goalkeeper to bring him in.
Although his $8 million fee in August 2001 looks modest compared to the $85 million spent on Alisson 17 years on, it was a major statement at the time.
Kirkland had left a secure first-choice role at Coventry City to join his boyhood club, arriving alongside Jerzy Dudek in a memorable deadline-day double signing. As a result, he understands better than most the delicate position Mamardashvili now finds himself in.
“It is tough, but you know that when you sign,” Kirkland exclusively told the ECHO monthly publication ‘Blood Red’, in an interview promoting his new autobiography, ‘'Keeping It Quiet' - The Chris Kirkland Story’.
You want to play, but the goalkeeper, only one can play. The only way you're going to get in if you're number two or three is if the ‘keepers get injured or they have a dramatic loss of form. You know that.
“He's going to get games, there's plenty of games. He’s having a little run now. I don't know how bad Ali is, but it's for him now to give the manager a headache and say, ‘When Ali is back fit, I think it's harsh if you drop me.’
“It's tough because he knows that he's got to perform to have any chance of staying in or to get run in the team, he's got to perform to an exceptional standard. He's still young.
“It’s difficult for him going from playing to not playing every week, but he knew the situation when he came in. Obviously he would hope to dislodge Ali, but probably deep down he's thinking this might be a little bit of a waiting game until he does get in and then when he does get in, he has got to take it."
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