Giorgi Mamardashvili's one-word comment speaks volumes after Arne Slot Liverpool warning

Before joiningLiverpool, Giorgi Mamardashvili was cautioned by Arne Slot that he'd have to demonstrate patience and determination to become the Reds' top goalkeeper. However, after Alisson sustained an injury during Tuesday night's match against Galatasaray, the towering new keeper has already been given his chance to prove himself.

During the second half of the Champions League defeat to the Turkish champions, Alisson required medical attention before being substituted for Mamardashvili.

This marked the 25-year-old's second appearance of the season for Liverpool, having previously played in the Carabao Cup victory over Southampton last month.

In August 2024, Liverpoolstruck a £29million deal with Valenciato bring the Georgian international to Anfield. He remained in Spain for one more year before making the move this summer. His arrival led to long-time No. 2 Caoimhin Kelleher departing for Brentford.

During his four years at Valencia, Mamardashvili made 134 appearances and upon joining the Reds, he expressed confidence that he could eventually become the club's new main man between the posts. He boldly said, "No" when asked if would accept being sent out on loan.

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However, Slot issued a warning to the Georgian international that he would need to be ready to compete with Alisson, widely considered one of the world's best goalkeepers, for his spot.

Last season, Slot said: "In general I can say if you want to play for Liverpool, you have to accept that there is competition. That is not only Liverpool but that is in every Premier League club at the moment because of all the money that is in this league but in Liverpool if you don't want to face competition then it is not the best place to go to."

Mamardashvili arrived at Liverpool with confidence. "They are looking at me as the Liverpool goalkeeper for the next 10 years," he revealed to Geo Team when discussing what the Reds told him during last year's transfer negotiations. "My next step will be the same as it was in Valencia.

"I will go and prove it and do what I can. The main thing is patience, training and hard work. And everything else will come by itself. I think it will be good. Training with (Alisson) will help me grow too and I will gain a lot of experience with him."

Despite Mamardashvili's self-assurance and imposing presence, Alisson's absence is undoubtedly a significant setback for Liverpool. The Reds now approach Saturday's Premier League match against Chelsea following two losses and without one of their key players.

Slot confirmed after the Champions League match that the Brazilian keeper is expected to miss this weekend's showdown with the Blues.

"I have to manage minutes as well," Slot told Amazon Prime after the defeat. "Hugo Ekitike going off, hopefully not in a bad way. Alisson going off. That's why we do need to rotate a bit.

"It's never positive if you go off like this. You can be sure that he's (Alisson) not playing on Saturday, so let's wait how long it is going to take. But he is definitely not going to play on Saturday."

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