Iraola Must Risk Fury of Mamardashvili Even If It Means He Could Leave Liverpool

· GiveMeSport

Andoni Iraola must risk the fury of one Liverpool star this season, even if it means he could leave Anfield.

Liverpool may have had a relatively quiet transfer window by their standards, but they still spent over £200m when it came to arrivals, and lost some key players.

Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola all joined on permanent deals, while Ronald Araujo signed on loan from Barcelona, as new manager Andoni Iraola replaced Arne Slot in the dugout and looked to replace the experience of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, and Ibrahima Konate, who all departed.

The Reds have started the season relatively well, too, unbeaten in their five Premier League games so far, while also winning in the Champions League and EFL Cup , with the manager still looking for ways to make the team as strong as possible.

After drawing both of their opening games 2-2 against Newcastle and Nottingham Forest, Liverpool have since kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, beating Ipswich and Bournemouth while drawing 0-0 with Fulham.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker has returned to top form following the World Cup, and a summer transfer window that was full of speculation that he could be on the move.

Juventus showed a strong interest in the Brazilian, with Alisson even agreeing personal terms to return to Italy . But Liverpool opted to keep hold of the experienced goalkeeper, triggering the option in his contract for an extra 12 months. That means he's now in the final year of his deal, and there are question marks over his long-term future.

Liverpool splashed the cash on Georgian stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia two summers ago, as they looked ahead to replacing Alisson. He spent the first year staying on loan with the La Liga side, and last year he was the understudy at Anfield.

But he still managed 10 Premier League appearances, plus games in cup competitions, as Alisson dealt with injury issues. Now, according to Football Insider , Mamardashvili is pushing to be the number one goalkeeper at the club and wants to play more regularly.

Iraola has made it clear, so far, that Alisson remains his number one, and should Mamardashvili struggle for game time heading into January, there is every chance that another club could make a move to bring him in and give him the regular football he wants.

While sticking by Alisson may mean that Mamardashvili could look for pastures new, Iraola would be making the right decision.

The Spanish boss has made it clear that he is a fan of the Georgia international, but right now, he just simply isn't as good as Alisson between the sticks. Speaking before the EFL Cup clash with Tottenham , Iraola said:

> "I rate Giorgi very highly. I know him from his years in Spain. I told him that we tried to sign him for Bournemouth before I came here. He’s a very good goalkeeper and he will start tomorrow."

But considering the team's start to the season, and the fact that Alisson may well be on his way out next summer anyway, there is no need to make a change at this stage.

If Mamardashvili can be convinced to wait until next summer, where the position will be reviewed once more, that would be best for everyone. But if he gives the manager an ultimatum, then Iraola must stick to his guns.

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