Liverpool's £29m signing FINALLY debuting as one-year wait ends

Liverpool should finally debut a £29m signing tonight. A one-year wait to see him in action for the Reds comes to an end.

Liverpool return to Carabao Cup action tonight as they host Southampton at Anfield. The Reds will attempt to go one better than last season in the competition.

But that doesn't mean Liverpool will go all-out against the lower-league side. In fact, Arne Slot is unlikely to play a proper first-XI in the competition until the very latter stages.

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And even that would depend on other commitments.

Instead, this is a chance to rotate the squad and hand out minutes to players who are waiting for opportunities. Slot has already confirmed five absences, for instance, as he looks to finally rest stars who have played relentlessly.

This early into the season, though, is also means first opportunities for certain players. Slot will hand out competitive minutes to new signings for the first time - and that includes a debut over a year in the making.

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Giorgi Mamardashvili to debut

Tonight should be the debut of Giorgi Mamardashvili. We saw last season how Slot likes to rotate his goalkeepers in this competition and we imagine that continues.

Mamardashvili initially signed for Liverpool back in 2024 but immediately went out on loan to Valencia, from whom the Reds bought him. It was only this summer that he linked up with the Reds.

The Georgian is yet to actually play a competitive game, though. Alisson Becker has understandably held onto his position between the sticks across the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

That was always going to be the big challenge for Mamardashvili. Alisson is one of the greatest goalkeepers on the planet - if not the greatest - and he'll maintain his role as the starting goalkeeper for this season.

Mamardashvili can only attempt to pile on pressure if he gets games, though. The Carabao Cup is his opportunity to do just that, and finally show Liverpool fans why the club paid £29m for him.

We can't wait to see what he's got, especially alongside Giovanni Leoni, who should also debut after his big-money move from Parma. An exciting night, then, as Liverpool show off just how deep this squad goes.

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