Report: Barcelona really like £30m Liverpool player but think they already have someone who's better
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Giorgi Mamardashvili was one of two signings Liverpool made this summer, with the Georgia international spending the current season out on loan with Valencia.
The £30m signing from La Liga is expected to one day become Liverpool’s new no. 1 after Alisson Becker, with big expectations being placed on Mamardashvili’s shoulders given the size of the job on the youngster’s hands.
Yet early signs have been encouraging, with Mamardashvili considered already to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world at 23-years-old and currently out on loan at a club that knows him better than anyone in Valencia.
Yet things could have been different this summer had FC Barcelona won the race for Mamardashvili.
Barcelona wanted Mamardashvili despite financial and squad problems
According to Mundo Deportivo, Mamardashvili was at the top of Barcelona’s list for potential goalkeeping signings, yet Valencia’s release clause coupled with Marc-Andre ter Stegen being the clear no. 1 meant the La Liga giants missed out to Liverpool for the Georgia international.
With Ter Stegen now out injured for the season, though, Barcelona might be feeling a hint of regret not moving for Mamardashvili this summer, who could now be the starting keeper for Hansi Flick’s side between now and the end of the season.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool's Giorgi Mamardashvili from height to stats
Yet as we all know, it was Liverpool who won the race for Mamardashvili this summer, with the on-loan Valencia keeper set to become the new man between the sticks for Arne Slot’s side in the coming years at Anfield.
And for Barcelona, they’re now in a worrying position where they are without a world-class goalkeeper for the remainder of the season, with Ter Stegen a player who could be impossible to replace for the Catalan side this campaign.
Liverpool should be proud they eventually won Mamardashvili race
Although the goalkeeping position is one Liverpool are in no rush to sort out given how incredible Alisson still is and the age the Brazilian currently is, the Reds should feel proud about how they went about signing Mamardashvili.
The Georgia international is on course to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world having starred for Valencia last season and this summer taken his reputation to another level with his performances at Euro 2024.
And heading into next season, a fascinating battle between Alisson and Mamardashvili could spark into life on who will become the new Liverpool no. 1, with the 23-year-old confident he could replace his Brazilian counterpart at Anfield.
