Collymore Advises Mamardashvili to Leave Liverpool if Alisson Remains No.1
Stan Collymore believes Giorgi Mamardashvili should not waste a single season accepting life as Alisson Becker’s understudy at Liverpool – and has urged the Georgian to push for an immediate move if he is not trusted in the biggest games.
Mamardashvili, who arrived from Valencia last year, made 20 appearances in his debut campaign at Anfield. He lost 12 of those matches and came under fire for several displays while covering for Alisson during the Brazilian’s injury lay-offs.
Any hope of a clearer path to the No.1 shirt this summer faded when Alisson, heavily linked with Juventus, stayed put and was named vice-captain by new head coach Andoni Iraola. For Collymore, that changes everything for the 25-year-old, who turns 26 next month.
“Goalkeepers and strikers need regular match minutes to develop – you cannot refine spatial awareness or match sharpness purely from the bench,” the former Liverpool forward told 10bet.
Collymore argues that if Mamardashvili has effectively been told he will not start in key Premier League or Champions League fixtures, then the answer is obvious: get out now, even on loan.
“If Mamardashvili is told he won't feature in key Premier League or Champions League fixtures, seeking an immediate loan is the smartest career move.
“Accepting a pure backup role for extended periods risks framing a player as a secondary option in the eyes of other top European clubs. He needs to proactively seek regular first-team football to maintain his career momentum.”
Collymore pointed out that short stays are hardly unusual in the modern game and warned that the real danger for Mamardashvili lies in allowing the perception of a contented No.2 to harden around him.
“There have been many players who join a football club and move on within a couple of months. It won't be the first time, and it won't be the last. What Mamardashvili cannot afford to do is let the narrative set for the next six months that he is content simply being Alisson's understudy.
“If he accepts that, other clubs will look at him and ask why they should trust him as a number one if he lacks that internal drive.”
Collymore drew a direct comparison with James Trafford’s situation, warning that rival clubs quickly pigeonhole goalkeepers who seem comfortable on the bench.
“That mirrors the James Trafford situation. Rivals will assume he is happy sitting on the bench, taking the occasional League Cup start or meaningless Champions League group fixture. Why would you throw a goalkeeper like that straight into the Bernabéu against Real Madrid?”
For Collymore, the route out of that trap is brutally simple: clarity, then action.
“The first thing a player in that position must do after pre-season is speak directly to the manager: ‘Am I going to play in the matches that truly matter?’ If the manager cannot offer those guarantees, you request an immediate loan move.”
Liverpool have their vice-captain and undisputed first-choice in Alisson. Mamardashvili now faces the decision Collymore is talking about: fight for scraps at Anfield, or gamble on his ambition elsewhere.
