14 hours ago
42
Liverpool goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero has claimed Liverpool has brought in the best young goalkeeper in the world this summer.
The Reds made the unorthodox choice to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili last August, a decision that surprised many given Alisson's exceptional levels. The Brazilian continued those standards during the 2024/25 season, meaning Mamardashivili is expected to play a backup role this season.
It’s an unusual situation, made even more peculiar by the fact Liverpool signed the Georgian international last summer but deferred his arrival by a year. Now he’s at Liverpool, the keeper has impressed the new-looking coaching team, which is now headed up by Valero.
“In Gio, we have a goalkeeper who is a younger goalkeeper with huge potential,” the Spanish coach told Liverpool’s website.
“He is the best young goalkeeper in Europe and I think he’s already showing that he has got what you need to have to be a top goalkeeper in the coming years.
“He’s been very solid and he keeps growing, and he showed that in La Liga with Valencia for all those years. I would say that he is the best goalkeeper of his age.
“I think we are lucky in the club to have the best goalkeeper in the world and the one that is the best of his age. We have a very strong set-up with these two goalkeepers.
“Coaching them is a privilege that comes with a responsibility but I feel lucky to be able to work with these goalkeepers on a daily basis and to be able to support them and to keep the standards high,” added Valero, who returned to the club after a 15-year spell away from Anfield.
It has been a summer of change at Liverpool for the goalkeeping unit. Caoimhin Kelleher, Vitezslav Jaros and Harvey Davies have left the Reds, with Mamardashvili, Freddie Woodman and Armin Pecsi arriving in their place. Coaches Claudio Taffarel and Fabian Otte also moved on, to be replaced by Valero and Colin Stewart.
“Now at Liverpool I am head of first-team goalkeeping, which means basically that anything related to first-team business around the goalkeepers is under my umbrella,” Valero explained.
“But the thing is that Liverpool is a big club and there are a few goalkeepers on the books. Some of them are on loan and then you have talented goalkeepers in the academy.
“Obviously the first-team schedule is so hectic with so many games, so my focus has to be on the first team and Colin’s focus is going to be on the transition goalkeepers and the goalkeepers that we have on loan.”
Amid the changes, Alisson has remained the one constant, although he won’t be involved in Wednesday’s friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos after returning home early from the pre-season tour of Asia to deal with a personal matter.
That could mean Mamardashvili and Woodman sharing the goalkeeping responsibilities during the pre-season encounter in Tokyo.
“Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world and he has been at that level for years so for all of us here it’s our job, our responsibility, to keep the standards really high,” Valero added, on Liverpool’s no.1.”
English (US) ·