Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is set for a lengthy layoff following a harrowing collision during the Reds’ 2-1 Merseyside Derby victory.
The Georgian international was stretchered off during the second half at the Hill Dickinson after suffering a nasty gash to his left leg, but has since broken his silence on social media to reassure supporters.
Liverpool really were put through the wringer at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as the 248th instalment of the Merseyside Derby, and the first of its kind at Everton’s brand-new home, didn’t disappoint in entertainment value.
Indeed, the Reds had to show plenty of resolve to collect a last-gasp 2-1 win, with Mohamed Salah’s opener, which is his ninth goal over the years in this hotly-contested affair, cancelled out by Beto’s equaliser.
While the Portuguese attacker wheeled away in celebration, Mamardashvili stayed frozen to the ground, as he suffered an agonising cut after clattering into the Toffees’ number nine and Andy Robertson, during the goal.
Subsequently, the Georgian stopper, who has been filling in for an injury-stricken Alisson, had to be stretchered off, with Freddie Woodman chucked into the action for the latter exchanges, as Liverpool’s forgotten third-choice stopper.
He handled himself competently, but Arne Slot will want the ex-Valencia stopper back as soon as possible, as Liverpool welcome Crystal Palace to Anfield this approaching Saturday, in another big clash in the Premier League.
Slot stated at the full-time whistle that it is “unbelievable” how bad the Reds’ injury luck is at the moment, with Woodman coming into a Premier League contest for the first time since 2021 for the Merseyside giants.
Thankfully, while the Dutchman offered a worrying update at the full-time whistle that Mamardashvili was in hospital, the Reds number 25 has since taken to social media to share a more encouraging message surrounding his condition.
New update reveals when Mamardashvili should be back fit
The latest update, coming from Georgian sources, and The Athletic indicate that the Tbilisi-born stopper will be back training for Slot’s men within three-four weeks, with the injury-stricken keeper needing stitches for his gaping wound.
The injury to Mamardashvili has triggered a high-stakes waiting game at Anfield. The Georgian shot-stopper must now wait for the stitches in his leg to heal completely before beginning the pain-management phase of his rehabilitation a recovery process that demands significant patience from both the player and the medical staff.
This setback shifts the spotlight directly onto Alisson Becker, whose fitness is now the primary concern ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit. While the Brazilian missed the midweek clash against Paris St Germain in the quarter finals of the Champions League and has been sidelined for the last six matches with a hamstring injury, he has been targeting a return for late April.
If Alisson is not cleared for Saturday, Liverpool will be forced to rely on third-choice keeper Freddie Woodman.
| Player | Status | Expected Return |
| Giorgi Mamardashvili | Sidelined (Leg Gash) | Mid-May |
| Alisson Becker | Doubtful (Hamstring) | Late April |
| Freddie Woodman | Fit & Available | N/A |
Mamardashvili’s social media update
Slot briefly alluded to it at the end of the breathless Merseyside Derby, but Liverpool have had wretched luck with injuries so far this season.
Hugo Ekitike is now out for the remainder of the Premier League campaign and the upcoming World Cup for France, owing to an untimely Achilles tendon rupture, with Alexander Isak also previously a long-term fixture in the treatment room, when breaking his leg against Tottenham Hotspur.
Hopefully, Mamardashvili isn’t out for the foreseeable future to pile on the pain even more, with the reserve keeper, who has been thrust into the first-team spotlight as of late, offering this update on social media on Monday morning.
The 37-time Georgia international hasn’t always felt the love of the Anfield masses this season, with his ropey performances, standing in for Alisson, seeing him only keep four clean sheets all campaign long.
But, he definitely felt the outpouring of love after the game, owing to his concerning injury situation, with both Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konate responding to his Instagram post with love heart emojis.
While he hasn’t always been the most convincing stopper in the world, since swapping Valencia for Merseyside, losing Mamardashvili for a couple of weeks will be a blow, as Slot will now have to trust Woodman to be his unexpected number one choice for the clash with the Eagles.
Yet, if he can come into the team from the get-go and be as composed as he was in the Merseyside Derby, the in-from-the-cold number 28 would endear himself to the Anfield fanbase even more, versus Oliver Glasner’s visitors.
He stated, when posting to Instagram: “Thank God everything is fine. Thank you all so much for your support and for being by my side. I’ll be back soon. Big win in the derby and 3 points.”
Woodman, who replaced Mamardashvili off the bench on Sunday, faces a daunting leap in responsibility. The 29-year-old hasn’t started a Premier League match since 2021.
With a massive trip to Old Trafford looming in early May, Arne Slot will be desperate for Alisson to prove his fitness. With Mamardashvili likely unavailable until the final few weeks of the 2025/26 campaign.
