Liverpool star picks up thigh injury, with Reds hoping it doesn't affect plans next season

Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Arne Slot (Image credit: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool took a long time this summer to confirm their first bit of summer business, but their first signing after the end of next season is already known.

Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is ranked at no.10 in FourFourTwo's list of the best goalkeepers in the world right now, has already been confirmed to be making the switch from Valencia next summer.

However, Liverpool will be keeping a close eye on his status after reports that he is set for medical tests on an injury he has picked up at the Spanish outfit

Liverpool keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili set for medical tests on injury

Giorgi Mamardashvili of Valecia in action during the Santander League match between Valencia CF and Fc Barcelona at the Mestalla Stadium on August 29, 2022, in Valencia, Spain.

Giorgi Mamardashvili faces an injury doubt (Image credit: Ivan Terron/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Journalist German Munoz writes that Mamardashvili has suffered bruising and swelling on his thigh and is set for medical tests to determine the extent and prognosis on the injury.

Mamardashvili has played every minute in La Liga for struggling Valencia this season, most recently appearing between the sticks for Saturday's one-goal defeat at home to Rayo Vallecano.

Alisson of Liverpool gestures during the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London, United Kingdom on 2 January, 2023.

Alisson's Liverpool future has been cast into doubt by Giorgi Mamardashvili's impending arrival (Image credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

The Georgian international is spending one final season with Valencia, who have been beset by financial difficulties and find themselves in the relegation zone.

They were able to hold onto Mamardashvili for the current campaign despite agreeing to a €35m (£28.9m) sale to Liverpool in August, with Alisson remaining the Reds' first-choice goalkeeper at the start of the season.

Mamardashvili's impending arrival has cast doubt over Alisson's longer-term future at the club, however, even before the Brazilian suffered an injury that has kept him out of action since October.

Caoimhin Kelleher has done an admirable job filling in for Arne Slot's side, but has himself spoken of wanting to get the kind of first-team football that Mamardashvili's signing makes unlikely next season.

Caoimhin Kelleher of Liverpool saves a penalty from Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England.

Caoimhin Kelleher's future is in doubt at Liverpool, too (Image credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

24-year-old Mamardashvili has earned a reputation as one of European football's finest goalkeepers since joining Valencia in 2021.

Liverpool's schedule clash with Everton on Saturday lunchtime was postponed due to stormy weather, but they will return to Champions League action against Girona on Tuesday teatime before hosting Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.