Liverpool Star to Make Debut Against Southampton – “I’m so excited” | OneFootball

Giorgi Mamardashvili ready for Liverpool debut under Arne Slot

Giorgi Mamardashvili could make his long-awaited Liverpool debut this week as Arne Slot prepares to rotate his squad for the Carabao Cup clash with Southampton. The Georgian goalkeeper arrived at Anfield from Valencia in the summer for £29 million and is now eager to show supporters what he can bring to the Premier League champions.

Settling into life at Liverpool

It has been nearly three months since Mamardashvili swapped La Liga for Merseyside and the 24-year-old believes he is adapting well both on and off the pitch. Having featured throughout pre-season, he has grown comfortable with his new surroundings at the AXA Training Centre and has been struck by the quality within the squad.

“Really good people. Ali [Becker] helped me a lot to improve. When I was a child, it was like a dream to meet players like Alisson, Virgil [van Dijk] and Mo [Salah]. Now I’m with them and I’m so happy,” Mamardashvili explained.

“There are a lot of quality players. I knew it before but what I saw is crazy, it’s really crazy.”

Such words reflect the excitement and humility of a goalkeeper still pinching himself at training alongside some of the biggest names in world football. Yet, for all the admiration, he has not hidden his determination to fight for a place in Slot’s starting XI.

“I have had to be patient,” he said. “I worked hard and I’m so [excited] to make my debut, my first official game. I’m so happy. It doesn’t matter if I play or not, I have to be ready. I work hard every day.”

Arne Slot’s Carabao Cup plans

Liverpool’s defence of their Premier League crown is rightly the primary focus, but Slot has been clear that every competition matters. His first season at Anfield brought the title, and now the Dutchman sees the Carabao Cup as another chance to add silverware and give opportunities to new arrivals.

“I think every competition is important. It’s one more opportunity to make our fans proud,” Mamardashvili added.

With Southampton visiting Anfield under Will Still, the fixture provides an ideal opportunity for the Georgian to showcase his talent in front of the Kop. Another summer signing, Giovanni Leoni, could also be in line for a debut after his £25 million move from Torino.

Wearing No.25 with pride

Mamardashvili’s shirt choice at Liverpool has personal meaning. Opting for the No.25, he follows in the footsteps of Pepe Reina, who wore the same number across nearly 400 appearances between 2005 and 2013.

“My father was a goalkeeper as well, so he played with 25. I continue this legacy, I guess,” he said. “I met Pepe at Villarreal when I played against him. He’s a very good guy, very good person and a very good goalkeeper as well.”

It is a fitting number for a player intent on forging his own legacy at Anfield, honouring his family while stepping into a new chapter of his career.

Eyes on Anfield debut

All signs suggest Mamardashvili will soon get his first taste of competitive action for Liverpool. For Slot, it is about more than simply blooding a new goalkeeper, it is about building squad depth and trust across competitions. For Mamardashvili, it is the chance to turn patience into performance, and to begin proving why Liverpool invested in him this summer.