Liverpool's 'King Giorgi': Best penalty-stopper in Europe

Liverpool's 2025 June Transfer Window was as eye-catching as it gets, given that the Reds signed superstars like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, as well as talented prospects such as Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike, spending almost half a billion euros.

Conversely, the June Transfer Window a year before went relatively under the radar, as Liverpool spent only €42 million on Federico Chiesa and the little-known custodian Giorgi Mamardashvili, who joined Arne Slot's crew with a one-year delay.

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Everyone wondered why the Reds signed a new goalkeeper when Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher had done a terrific job as the first two options between the posts. However, when the Irishman joined Brentford and the Brazilian picked up a hamstring injury, the Georgian finally got his five minutes of fame.

The 25-year-old paid €30 million to Valencia, stepped up, and, despite Liverpool's disappointing results, he was one of the rare Slot's reliable players who consistently delivered strong performances.

The crown of his quality displays came two days ago, when he stopped the most ruthless striker in the world, Erling Haaland's spot-kick. And even though the Cityzens later crushed the Reds 3-0, Mamardashvili did his part, while the Norwegian became the sixth victim of the Georgian, who stopped the most penalties in the top five European leagues since the start of the 2023/2024 season.

Over the last two years, the custodian has faced 15 penalties and saved six, or 40%, if you prefer. Five of them came at Valencia, where he won the duels against Kike Garcia (Alaves), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), and Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), while yesterday's save was his first with Liverpool.

If we add the stop he made with the Georgia national team when he denied Ferran Torres' effort from the spot against Spain, we reach an impressive number of saved penalty kicks.

Hence, even when Alisson returns, Slot will have a pleasant dilemma of whom to choose as a first-choice goalie, because Mamardashvili undoubtedly showed he had what to offer.