Richard Hughes set for massive decision as BOMBSHELL offer lined up

Liverpool signed THREE goalkeepers during the summer transfer window.

One can be regarded as a backup at best with Freddie Woodman coming in following the expiry of his Preston contract.

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Another is Armin Pecsi. The 20-year-old is among the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in Europe having signed from Akademia Puskas. But it is unlikely that he can be anything other than one for the future right now.

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The third man to arrive was Giorgi Mamardashvili. Initially signed for around £25m (rising to £29) back in 2024, the Georgian spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Valencia.

Could Mamardashvili displace Alisson?

The 24-year-old was again among Los Che’s best players for the campaign - and moves to Anfield with a significant reputation.

It’s going to be difficult for him to put immediate pressure on current goalkeeping incumbent Alisson Becker - owing to the Brazilian’s overall reputation.

But Mamardashvili has not come to Merseyside to sit on the bench and he will expect to succeed Alisson sooner rather than later.

Alisson, 33 next month, has got a contract at Liverpool until 2027 and has made it known he wishes to return to Internacional in his homeland before his career ends.

The ideal conclusion to his Liverpool career therefore would be to leave in two years as a highly-decorated goalkeeper of renown and take his place once again at his boyhood club.

But things might not work out like that.

Alisson loses Taffarel

First, let's talk about Alisson's numbers this season.

The sample size is small but perhaps there is a slight reason to be concerned at Alisson’s form at the start of the title defence. He’s conceded FOUR goals in only three league matches - keeping a clean sheet and looking good against Arsenal.

But those four goals have been scored off only seven shots on target.

According to FOTMOB Alisson’s goalkeeping numbers are among the worst in the Premier League so far this season - in terms of saves, save percentage, goals conceded and goals prevented.

When you combine Mamardashvili’s class and ambition with reported transfer interest in Alisson from the Middle East then you might think that Richard Hughes would be tempted to cash in.

And don’t forget, Alisson’s friend and mentor - Taffarel - took his leave from Liverpool’s goalkeeping department over the summer. A big part of Alisson signing a new deal back in 2021 was the installation of the Brazil national team legend on the backroom staff.

That privilege is now gone.

Saudis plotting Alisson raid

Alisson also missed multiple games last season through injury - with Caoimhin Kelleher playing 20 matches in all competitions. That is a HUGE total for a reserve.

If Alisson follows the same pattern in this campaign then Mamardashvili’s time might come sooner than expected.

Empire of the Kop is now claiming that top Saudi clubs have got their eyes on Alisson for the January transfer window.

“Alisson Becker is attracting serious interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League for a January transfer,” a report reads.

“The goalkeeper has been the subject of lucrative offers worth up to €15m (£13m) per year from Middle Eastern suitors who are understood to be preparing bids in the region of €25m-€30m (£21.8m-£26.1m) for the Brazil international.”

A big decision awaits

Those are not inconsiderate sums to be discussing for Alisson and would surely be brought under consideration by Hughes at the very least.

The report also adds that with the Saudi transfer window remaining open it’s not impossible for one of their clubs to make a last-minute dash for Alisson.

However the top clubs owned by PIF are currently stacked in either the goalkeeper and foreign player departments or both.

Significant movement would have to happen for Alisson to arrive in this window.

But in January - or possibly next summer - an agonising decision awaits. Liverpool could basically cover Mamardashvili’s fee with a sale of Alisson at the money mentioned.

Do Liverpool wait for Alisson to call the terms of his own exit or do they cash in while some money is still available?

A big few months lie in store for the future of Liverpool’s goalkeeping department.

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