Giorgi Mamardashvili named MOTM despite Liverpool defeat as PSG expose major flaws | OneFootball

BBC Sport pundit Paul Robinson has named Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili as his Man of the Match, despite the Reds falling to a 2-0 Champions League quarter-final defeat against PSG.

On a night where Arne Slot’s defensive tactics were ruthlessly dismantled at the Parc des Princes, the Georgian shot-stopper stood as the final line of resistance, preventing the scoreline from becoming a repeat of the 4-0 humiliation suffered against Manchester City just days prior or worse.

Robinson names Giorgi Mamardashvili as MOTM

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after the final whistle, Robinson argued that the 25-year-old was the only reason Liverpool still possess a glimmer of hope heading into the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

Robinson said:

“Liverpool were exposed far too many times defensively. The goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, was man of the match for me. On that performance, there is a lot of work to do against a very, very good PSG team.”

Mamardashvili performance vs PSG in numbers

Stepping in for the injured Alisson Becker, Mamardashvili faced a relentless barrage from the reigning European champions.

While the Liverpool attack failed to register a single shot on target, the Georgian was kept busy by a PSG side that registered 18 attempts on goal.

Mamardashvili stats vs PSG via FotMob

The standout moment came late in the first half when he denied Doue a second with a brilliant one-on-one block, before producing a flying save to thwart a curling effort from his international teammate, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

While Kvaratskhelia eventually doubled the lead in the 65th minute by rounding the keeper, Mamardashvili’s resilience in the final ten minutes, including a vital stop from Ousmane Dembélé, ensured the deficit remained at two.

If Liverpool are to complete a miracle comeback at Anfield in the return leg, the Georgian will have to be at his very best yet again.