Liverpool legend Kirkland discusses both clubs' new goalkeepers ahead of their likely derby debuts on Sunday afternoon.
Header image: via Liverpool FC
The international break is finally over and the biggest game in English football awaits on Sunday. Liverpool, who have lost their last three matches in all competitions, face Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, with both teams in desperate need of three points against their rivals.
One of the main talking points ahead of Sunday is the choice of goalkeepers, who both officially joined their respective clubs in the summer.
Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed as a Liverpool player in August 2024 but spent last season on loan at Valencia before joining the Reds ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. In the absence of Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson, who is set to be sidelined for over a month, the Georgian shot-stopper will start against United at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Senne Lammens joined the Red Devils on deadline day amid problems in the goalkeeping department with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir. Lammens made his Premier League debut in United’s most recent match against Sunderland, keeping a clean sheet.
Chris Kirkland played 45 times for Liverpool in all competitions between 2001 and 2005. Ahead of Sunday’s eagerly anticipated clash, he offered his thoughts on the two new goalkeepers.
“For both goalkeepers it’s one of the most fiercely contested fixtures there is. It is a huge rivalry. They’ve got to do what they’ve always done - what’s got them to play in a Liverpool vs United fixture”, said Kirkland, speaking to Goalkeeper.com.
“Nothing changes. They’re obviously very good goalkeepers. They wouldn’t be at their respective clubs if they weren’t. It’s always nice to come out and take that first cross or to get something early in the game. I always felt that helped me; your first action’s really important, and I’m sure they’ll be desperate to make that first action a good one.”
Mamardashvili has already impressed in the three appearances he has made for Liverpool so far in the Premier League, Champions League, and EFL Cup. Alisson will miss Sunday’s fixture through injury. Speaking about the Georgian’s arrival at Anfield and the difficulty of usurping a goalkeeper like Alisson as the club’s number one, Kirkland explained how “Mamardashvili is a tough one because, for me, Alisson has been the best in the world for the last five, six years.
“He obviously has a couple of injuries here and there where Caoimhin Kelleher came in last year and the seasons before and did exceptionally well, but when Alisson’s fit there’s nobody better than him.
“So, he [Mamardashvili] is a young keeper, and you can tell he’s very talented. They paid a lot of money for him, and his aim will be to be the long term successor to Alisson.
“But for him to get the chance to train with Alisson and all the other keepers in the department on a daily basis will only make him stronger and better. If and when that time does come in the long term, he’s got to try and grab it.”
Lammens, on the other hand, came with a much lower profile than Mamardashvili. The 23-year-old Belgian goalkeeper was signed from Royal Antwerp for an initial fee of just over £18 million. United have often paid over the odds for ageing players past their peak in recent times, but Lammens already looks to be an astute pick-up following an assured performance on his debut against Sunderland.
“With Lammens, he was tidy the other day and made a couple of good saves,” said Kirkland. “He’s going to need to make a few more good saves in this game against Liverpool because the goalkeepers are going to be working against some amazing talent on the field, so certainly it’s going to be a huge game for him.”
The former Wigan Athletic goalkeeper also admitted that he has been surprised that United have not pursued Jordan Pickford in the last couple of years, in their search for a new goalkeeper. Pickford has been at Everton since 2017, and while his domestic performances have sometimes been inconsistent, he has been a reliable figure for England, especially in major tournaments.
“With United I was really surprised. I think that I’d have gone and got Jordan Pickford a couple of years ago, definitely. I know De Gea left and he’s doing great, but I’d have gone and got England’s number one”, explained Kirkland.
“I mean Pickford, what’s he got? 79 caps? I’m surprised they didn’t go and get him because I think he would fit the bill perfectly. He’s confident, he’s been around for a long time now, his performances speak for themselves. So, I was surprised they didn’t go and get him a couple of years ago. I don’t know if they were interested in him, but if I was there then we would have made enquiries about Pickford.”
Both teams have their own unique problems ahead of Sunday, with Slot looking to avoid four defeats in a row and Amorim keen to secure back-to-back victories and, in the process, ease fan discontent surrounding his persistence with his 3-4-3 formation.
Despite the challenges for both sides, the two new goalkeepers have given cause for optimism. How they perform on Sunday will play a key role in the outcome of the match.
Liverpool vs Manchester United kicks off at 4:30 BST at Anfield on Sunday 19th October, live on Sky Sports.
