Paul Robinson issues verdict on Giorgi Mamardashvili as Liverpool close in on signing goalkeeper

Giorgi Mamardashvili looks set to become the first signing of the Arne Slot era at Liverpool, with the Reds apparently closing in on a deal to land the Georgia international this summer.

Many would have been very surprised had they been told that Arne Slot would reach the final week of the summer transfer window still awaiting the chance to welcome his first signing as Liverpool boss, with the Dutchman facing the daunting task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp.

The good news is that the lack of signings does not appear to be hurting Slot, with some very bright signs over the first two games of the new campaign. And it seems that the first signing may not be too far away.

Liverpool are closing in on a £30 million move for Mamardashvili, with the goalkeeper likely to return to Valencia on loan. It looks to be an incredibly smart move with the 23-year-old looking an extremely talented stopper.

Paul Robinson issues verdict as Liverpool close in on Giorgi Mamardashvili

Alisson Becker has given Liverpool’s move for Mamardashvili his seal of approval, while former Premier League goalkeeper Paul Robinson is also an admirer of the transfer target.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live however, Robinson admitted that he has some concerns about what it may mean for Caoimhin Kelleher.

“He’s a great goalkeeper, Mamardashvili. If Liverpool can pull that signing off, it could be a very shrewd signing. Big question, where does it leave Kelleher? Where’s his future? Sat there, waiting very patiently as a number two, expecting to one day be the successor to Alisson. If the Mamardashvili deal is done, that option for him isn’t there anymore,” he said.

“And as far as Alisson, for me, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world, at 31 years old, the Saudi Pro League maybe he’s not ready for that just yet. That offer isn’t going away for a goalkeeper of his quality.”

Reds right to make ruthless decision

Kelleher has definitely stepped up on a number of occasions when he has come in for Alisson, most notably in the Carabao Cup final last year. Kelleher has even been compared with Alisson, but unfortunately, he has not been able to enjoy a lengthy run as number one at the highest level.

Mamardashvili, on the other hand, has nearly a century of appearances in La Liga under his belt, and he is younger than the Republic of Ireland international, so it is not entirely surprising that Liverpool are seemingly prepared to make the ruthless decision to overlook Kelleher when it comes to deciding Alisson’s long-term successor.