David James: Mamardashvili Arrival Adds Real Pressure to Alisson at Liverpool | OneFootball

Mamardashvili’s Liverpool Move Reflects a Wider Shift in Goalkeeping Strategy

Not Just a Deputy, but a Competitor

Liverpool’s signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili may initially appear routine — a promising young goalkeeper joining a club long settled in that position. But former Liverpool keeper David James sees something different in the transfer. It isn’t about rotation or future planning alone. It’s about direct competition.

“You have to understand Liverpool haven’t looked at Mamardashvili and thought ‘We need to fill a gap here’,” James told the PA news agency during a Carlsberg event. “Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world and it’s not often you get asked twice. Mamardashvili has come in as a direct challenger.”

Therein lies a small but significant shift in Liverpool’s thinking. Alisson Becker, still arguably the most complete goalkeeper in the Premier League, has rarely faced a genuine threat to his place. That could now change.

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Alisson’s Excellence Sets the Bar

The Brazilian’s role in transforming Liverpool’s defensive confidence under Jürgen Klopp has been immense. His shot-stopping, sweeping, and command of the area have become cornerstones of the team’s success. Few in world football come close.

But Mamardashvili is not short on experience. A mainstay at Valencia and a standout for Georgia at international level, the 23-year-old carries a calmness that often betrays his age. For James, this foundation makes him well suited to Anfield.

“He will have to believe he is good enough to play for Liverpool, one of the toughest goalkeeping positions in world football,” James said. “But he has played at major tournaments and international finals and excelled so I don’t think the occasion is going to faze him.”

The Challenge of Waiting in the Wings

What may be more difficult is the waiting. Goalkeepers, unlike outfield players, have fewer entry points — injuries, suspensions, or cup rotations. And yet, those moments can define careers.

“It will just be interesting if he doesn’t start the season how motivated he will be to wait for his opportunities, because he will get opportunities,” James added.

Patience as a Tactical Asset

In a squad increasingly built around depth and high-calibre alternatives, Mamardashvili embodies the modern club’s balancing act: ensuring succession without unsettling the present. Liverpool aren’t phasing Alisson out. But they are preparing for any scenario in a relentless season.

And in Giorgi Mamardashvili, they may have found a player capable not only of stepping in — but eventually stepping up.