As Liverpool’s title race ramps up towards the season’s end, it has been somewhat forgotten that the Reds will have a new goalkeeper next campaign.
After Giorgi Mamardashvili’s £35 million signing from Valencia in the summer, the Georgian international has stayed with Los Che for 2024/25.
Merseysportlive spoke to local sports reporter and Valencia fan, Alex Gomar, to analyse the highs and lows of the Liverpool loanee’s season so far.
The highs
Currently sat in the La Liga relegation places, there have not been too many highs for anyone at Valencia this season.
But most would agree Los Che would be far worse off without the young Georgian keeper.
Alex said: “Ever since I’ve been a journalist, he’s been Valencia’s best keeper in the last five or ten years for sure, and it doesn’t surprise anyone that a team like Liverpool have come in for him.”
“If he settles at Liverpool and is playing European football, in the Premier League, and the other competitions, I think he can eventually become better than Alisson.”
In their last three home games at the Mestalla, Valencia have secured three crucial wins in their fight to stay in La Liga – and the Liverpool loanee has played no small part.
Most recently at home, against Leganés, the Georgian international made a couple of good saves towards a nervy end of the game to ensure Los Che kept their 2-0 lead.
The main criticism that has been levelled at Mamardashvili throughout his career has been his ability on the ball, but that is something he has improved on this campaign.
According to FBRef, the Valencia keeper has improved his 53% pass completion rate from last season to 65.8% in 2024/25.
Impressively, his short passing is at 100% completion this year, while his medium range rate is 98.6%.
The fact that at just 24-years-old, Mamardashvili is making these sorts of improvements is a promising sign.
He has also continued his fine form for his national side to follow on from his stellar Euro 2024 campaign.
92nd minute, scores are level and Mamardashvili does this 👏👏#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/boaRyvBuX7
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) November 18, 2024
And despite his young age, the Georgian has emerged as one of Los Che’s leaders, according to Alex.
“Despite being a goalkeeper, he has quite a lot of character. If you’re one of the best players on the team, you eventually become a leader.
“He’s actually been the captain on one occasion, I see him as a leading figure within a team.”
The lows
In other key statistics, however, it has not been as strong a year for Valencia’s shot-stopper.
Last season, his overall save percentage was an impressive 71% – equalling Alisson’s record last season – but that has since dropped to 61% in 2024/25, according to FBRef.
Another statistic for concern is that no player has made more errors leading to a goal in La Liga than Mamardashvili this season (2).
The most recent of those came in a humiliating 7-0 defeat to Barcelona, a result likely to remind Valencia fans of their torrid days under Gary Neville.
Alex made sure to mention the dip in form, but also reassure Liverpool fans that they’re still getting a top goalkeeper.
“It’s true that he’s performing at a lower level this season, I’m not sure if his head is in Liverpool, but in previous seasons he’s been at a very high standard.”
In fairness to the Georgian, being a Valencia player this season has been far from easy.
Discontent with the ownership of Singaporean businessman Peter Lim has boiled over this season into frequent fan protests.
“There is quite a complicated climate at Valencia, above all against the ownership.
“Valencia are normally used to playing in Europe, in the Champions League or Europa League.
“There have been lot of protests and demonstrations. People are fed up. We don’t understand how a team as big as Valencia are fighting to not go down.”
With both the futures of Caoimhin Kelleher and Alisson still seeming rather uncertain, Mamardashvili could end up playing a big role next season.
For now though, all that Reds fans will be hoping for is that the Georgian joins a Liverpool side just crowned 2025’s Premier League champions.
Featured image taken by Henry Eccles
