The veteran shot stopper gives some words of wisdom on the challenges facing incoming goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
The recently crowned Premier League champions, Liverpool, are welcoming a new goalkeeper to the roster this coming transfer window – and veteran ex-Liverpool shot-stopper, Adrián, has some words of advice.
Liverpool will be bringing Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili into the squad over the coming summer transfer window after he was signed from Valencia last summer, but immediately loaned back for the 2024/25 season. The 24-year old Valencia and Georgia national team goalkeeper will officially transfer and report to the AXA Training Center on the first of July this year.
The transition, however, will not be as simple as showing up in a new center and putting on a new jersey of the top team of the season. Stepping into the number one spot will not be without its pressures and challenges, especially when you’ll be playing on the reigning team alongside one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, Alisson Becker.
Who better to get some wise words from, than the loyal understudy who played 26 times in five seasons as the Liverpool second or third choice?
Adrian says, ‘As a player, your role at a football club changes, and you have to learn to adapt. But I always made sure I was ready if the manager needed me. I would give Giorgi Mamardashvili the same advice.’
‘What he has to remember is, Liverpool have Brazil and the Republic of Ireland’s No 1 goalkeepers,’ Adrian continues. ‘It will be quite difficult for him to play as a No 1, but he’s young and has a lot to learn.’
Caoimhín Kelleher, the Irish top-tier goalkeeper who Giorgi will also be joining makes the position even more humbling. Mamardashvili is encouraged to take this new journey and opportunity as an elite and honorable apprenticeship as the young goalkeeper will be playing alongside the world’s best.
Mamardashvili will be learning not just to be a Premier League goalkeeper, but a reigning champion, Liverpool goalkeeper.
Adrian says, “Footballers can be selfish, we want to play all the time, but that isn’t always possible. So Mamardashvili just needs to remain patient and be prepared because at some point his time will come.”
