Giorgi Mamardashvili has officially ruled out the option of leaving Liverpool on loan this summer. The Georgian international is set to join the Reds at the end of the season following a £29m deal agreed with Valencia last August.
His arrival is likely to lead to the departure of Caoimhin Kelleher from Anfield, as the Republic of Ireland international has expressed his desire to be a first-choice goalkeeper.
Alisson Becker remains Liverpool’s undisputed No.1 and is expected to maintain his position even with Mamardashvili’s arrival. The Georgian is eager to train alongside the Brazilian and mentioned that the club had been transparent about their long-term plans for him.
“They are looking at me as the Liverpool goalkeeper for the next 10 years,” he shared with Geo Team when discussing his transfer negotiations last year. “My next step will be the same as it was in Valencia. I will go and prove it and do what I can. The main thing is patience, training, and hard work. Everything else will come by itself. I think it will be good. Training with (Alisson) will help me grow too, and I will gain a lot of experience with him.”
When asked if he was considering a loan move, Mamardashvili shook his head and confirmed, “no,” asserting his intention to remain at Liverpool. Although he hasn’t spoken to manager Arne Slot or his new teammates, he has kept in touch with club officials and the goalkeeping department throughout the season.
“No, I haven’t spoken to the main man (Arne Slot), but I have direct contact with the goalkeeper (coach) and we talk all the time,” he revealed. “Yes, they have even visited several times. They even came and talked to me from Liverpool. Of course, yes, they give you a lot of attention.”
In the meantime, Mamardashvili paid tribute to Jose Manuel Ochotorena as he prepares for his exit from Valencia, admitting it will be tough to leave the La Liga club. Ochotorena had previously spent three years as Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach under Rafa Benitez and was part of the staff that notably won the Champions League in Istanbul in 2005.
“It’s not easy to say goodbye after four years,” Mamardashvili shared. “They’ve literally raised me. I’ve been here since I was 19, and it will be very difficult. Ochotorena is a person who, if it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t have been able to play—not only at this level but also in Valencia. In my opinion, he helped me a lot. He was there for me during difficult times when I had bad games and failed. Even in good games, we talked all the time. He helped me psychologically and stood by me a lot.”
