Despite Georgia losing to Spain 2-0, Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili apparently acquitted himself well.
After Spain had already scored the opener, Mamardashvili fouled Barcelona star Ferran Torress in the box, giving away a penalty. However, he was able to immediately make amends, and saved the ensuing spot kick.
It did not change the final result (plus or minus one goal), but Spain are currently the top ranked national team in the world, so 2-0 feels like a good result.
Of course,
with Alisson Becker once again out with an injury, and former standout backup Caoimhín Kelleher making a permanent move to Brentford, all eyes have turned to Mamardashvili.
Saving a pen is always a big confidence booster for a goalkeeper, and let’s be honest, Liverpool players need as much confidence boosts as they can get right now after three consecutive defeats leading up to the international break.
Mamardashvili was a highly regarded keeper when we bought him last summer, and still remains the case. That said, he has huge gloves to fill—both Alisson’s and Kelleher’s—and will likely need similar heroics to help Liverpool get back to their winning ways.
