Giorgi Mamardashvili gives one-word answer about why he didn’t join Liverpool this season

01/28/2025 10:25 AM

Giorgi Mamardashvili reportedly gave a short but sweet answer as to why he didn't join Liverpool straight away.

On Sunday night, the Georgian shot-stopper started in goal for Valencia as they took on Barcelona at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys.

It proved to be a disheartening evening for the 24-year-old as Barcelona triumphed with a staggering 7-1 victory.

Stars like Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Fermin López, and Robert Lewandowski all left their mark on the score sheet.

After the final whistle, Mamardashvili was spotted deep in conversation with Barcelona’s Torres.

The details of their exchange have now emerged, sparking considerable curiosity among fans.

Torres reportedly said: “Why didn't you leave this year?”

Mamardashvili replied: “Alisson.”

During the summer transfer window, Liverpool signed the goalkeeper for around £26million and immediately loaned to Valencia.

A club statement read: “Liverpool have reached an agreement for the transfer of Giorgi Mamardashvili. 

“Subject to a work permit and international clearance – with the Valencia goalkeeper set to move to Anfield ahead of the 2025-26 season.

“The Reds have secured a deal for the 23-year-old that will see him stay in Spain for the remainder of the current campaign with Los Che before switching to Merseyside next summer.”

At the time, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said: “Mamardashvili is someone for the long future of the club.

“I'm really, really happy with the goalkeepers we have at the moment.

“Caoimh Kelleher is one of them, like Vit Jaros and Ali. We're in a good place when it comes to goalkeepers for now and for the long term.”

Mamardashvili began his journey at Dinamo Tbilisi before making his way to FC Rustavi and FC Lokomotiv Tbilisi on loan.

In 2021, he made the leap to Valencia CF. Since then, he has become a vital component of the squad.

The Georgia international made a name for himself at Euro 2024, impressing as his national team reached the round of 16 in their first ever major tournament.

Mamardashvili played a key role in the tournament, ending the group stage having made 20 saves – seven more than any other goalkeeper at the tournament – including 11 in a 1-1 draw against Czechia, for which he was awarded the Player of the Match award.

The 23-year-old’s performances over the summer saw him gain plenty of admirers, including former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, who has welcomed a potential move to Merseyside.

Speaking on talkSPORT at the time, Murphy said of the goalkeeper: “I actually saw him in the the game where he had that unbelievable match against the Czech Republic.

“Where he was Man on the Match and made a couple of tremendous saves – one of the them was the save of the tournament in many people’s eyes.

Liverpool is currently grappling on multiple fronts, with Slot's squad leading the way in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

Meanwhile, Mamardashvili finds himself entangled in a challenging relegation struggle, as Valencia sits at 19th in the La Liga table, five points adrift of safety.