Anfield Watch has spoken to former Dinamo Tbilisi scout, Mikha Gabechava, to get the lowdown on Liverpool target Giorgi Mamardashvili. 

Few people would have imagined that Liverpool's first acquisition of the summer could end up becoming a goalkeeper. But based on reports in Spain, it seems like there is genuine interest in Giorgi Mamardashvili from the Reds and he could very well become the first signing of the Arne Slot era for just £35m.

Reports have suggested that Mamardashvili would initially be sent out on loan with Bournemouth the most likely destination - so this would be a strange transfer in the sense that Liverpool fans wouldn't immediately see him in a red shirt - but it could be a smart one.

Alisson is not getting any younger and sooner or later the Reds will need to find a suitable successor to the Brazilian's throne. Mamardashvili is one of the most highly regarded young goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues who caught the eye at Euro 2024 and who has the potential to be one of the world's best.

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Mamardashvili's leadership praised

Initially, the first thing that stands out about Mamardashvili is his brilliant shot-stopping numbers.

Last season he ranked third among U23 goalkeepers in Europe's top five leagues for prevented goals per 90 (0.14) as per Wyscout. He also made the most saves at Euro 2024 (29) and played a pivotal role in helping Georgia secure a pivotal qualification into the knock-out round of the tournament.

Mikha Gabechava has been watching Mamardashvili save shots in between the sticks from a young age - all the way when the Georgian international was just a teenager playing for Dinamo Tbilisi - Gabechava's local club - where he also worked as a scout before moving to Gent last season. He also briefly worked for Mamardashvili's current agency and helped to bring him in as a client.

"I would say Mamardashvili is the backbone of the Georgian national team," Gavechava tells Anfield Watch.

"In general, a goalkeeper’s role beyond making beautiful saves is quite underrated. Mamardashvili’s leadership, communication, and presence in goal gives the entire backline much more confidence, consequently allowing them to play more effectively. His confidence and character are exactly what we need, especially in such a young team. Despite being very young himself, he already has great experience and has massive potential to improve significantly."

The right mentality

Throughout his development as a player, Mamardashvili has overcome plenty of hurdles. He was very quickly thrust into a first team environment in Georgia, making his debut in the country's top flight as a 17 year old.

By the time he was 20 years old, he had fought himself into the first team reckoning at Valencia in La Liga and has close to 100 appearances in the league at just 23 years old.

Being the son of a former professional goalkeeper Davit, who played for several top flight clubs in Georgia, Mamardashvili has understood from a young age what it takes to become a professional player - including the importance of having the right attitude and appetite to work.

Gabechava believes this is one of the biggest factors in why Mamardashvili has been able to reach the level he has.

"In general, the progress he's made is just fantastic. We always knew he was good, but now we're actually seeing him reach his potential, which is something that talented Georgian players often failed to accomplish in the past.

"I strongly believe that his mentality played a key role in his development - he never doubted himself, and even after all the harsh mistakes at the beginning of his career, he stayed strong, never lost his motivation, and worked tirelessly to become one of the best in the world."

Can he play with his feet?

There have been some question marks over Mamardashvili and his ability to play with his feet. A goalkeeper's ability to bring the ball out from the back is an essential facet of Arne Slot's new style of build-up play.

At Valencia, Mamardashvili hasn't often shone in this department. But Gabechava believes he has improved over the course of the last season.

"Regarding his ability to play with his feet, I have to say that he has improved significantly over the past couple of years, mainly because he has a fantastic GK coach at Valencia. Even in his early days at Valencia, he used to make mistakes and wasn't as effective in that aspect. However, now you can clearly see that he's more comfortable and confident on the ball."

The numbers reflect that. Last season, he ranked in the top five U23 goalkeepers for progressive passes per 90 (6.89) as per Wyscout. It will also help that out Dinamo Tbilisi he came through an academy that employed several former La Masia coaches, who will have instilled the Barcelona tiki-take style of play in him from a young age. So, there should be no qualms over his ability to adjust to Slot's methods.