Former Premier League goalkeeper Michel Vorm has exclusively told Sports Mole that it would be surprising if Giorgi Mamardashvili displaced Alisson Becker from Liverpool's first team in 2025-26.
Alisson was not part of the Reds squad that they flew out to the Netherlands and lost 3-2 against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday evening, with Caoimhin Kelleher filling in for the Brazilian.
Kelleher will have just a year left on his contract at the end of this season, and he will be replaced by Mamardashvili, who was signed in the summer of 2023-24 from Valencia and will join up with Arne Slot for the 2025-26 campaign.
The Georgian shot stopper performed excellently for his national side at Euro 2024, and his signature has led to speculation that he could claim the number one spot at Liverpool, but Vorm dismissed such notions.
Speaking to Sports Mole about who should be number one, Vorm said: "For me, Alisson - it's not even a question. For me, obviously [Mamardashvili] will compete, but [Alisson] has so much credit at the club at Liverpool. Something really crazy needs to happen [for him to displace Alisson]."
Alisson is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, and has won two Premier League golden gloves, as well as the Yashin Trophy for his performances in 2019.
Alisson has credit in the bank
Alisson joined Liverpool in the summer of 2018 from Roma for a then world-record fee for a goalkeeper, costing the Merseysiders in excess of £65m.
However, the shot stopper quickly proved his worth, helping steer the Reds to Champions League glory in 2018-19, a feat they would not have achieved had he not made possibly the most famous save of his career in a narrow group-stage victory against Napoli that season.
One of the Brazilian's greatest strengths as a goalkeeper is his ability to prevent one vs. one situations from becoming dangerous, and there is arguably no one better at closing down attackers before they can get a clear shot at goal.
Vorm heaped praise on Alisson and his performances over the past years and insisted that Mamardashvili has his work cut out to get in ahead of him, adding: "Alisson is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and he showed that in the Premier League and at the national team. Valencia is a great club playing [La Liga], but you can't compare it for me as a goalkeeper in the Premier League."
Mamardashvili started in goal during Valencia's 7-1 defeat against Barcelona, and he was at fault for the victors' third goal as he rushed off his line but misjudged the distance, allowing Raphinha to easily round him and score.
© Imago
What does the future hold for Alisson?
Despite Alisson repeatedly showing that he is among the top group of goalkeepers, the nearly £30m signing of Mamardashvili hints at Liverpool planning for a future without the 32-year-old.
Mamardashvili is just 24 years old and perhaps the Georgian was brought to the club in anticipation of Alisson's potential decline, either as a result of age or as a result of injuries.
The Brazilian has a history of absences at Liverpool, having played just 28 Premier League games last term and only featuring in 14 of his side's 22 league matches this campaign.
When asked about Alisson's future at Liverpool, Vorm struggled to see the goalkeeper at another club in the immediate future, adding: "Maybe some club in Saudi Arabia will buy him for a lot of money, then maybe he will leave, but I don't see him in the next couple of years playing for a different club. It doesn't matter what goalkeeper will come behind him or push him."
If Mamardashvili has ambitions of replacing Alisson next season, he will have to prove he is able to be as proactive as the current Liverpool number one, and his ability to play out from the back will undoubtedly be tested much more in the Premier League than it has been in La Liga.
Michel Vorm was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of 888sport.
Lewis Nolan
