Giorgi Mamardashvili may need to take the 'smart' career move to get out of Liverpool immediately, according to former Reds forward Stan Collymore.
Georgian goalkeeper Mamardashvili featured 20 times for the Reds last season, his first at the club after signing from Valencia. The stopper, who will turn 26 next month, was on the losing side in 12 of those matches, and attracted criticism for several of his displays as he deputised for Alisson Becker when the Brazilian was sidelined through injury.
Alisson stays at Anfield
Alisson was linked with a move to Juventus this summer, but the Reds No.1 has stayed and been named as Liverpool vice-captain by Andoni Iraola.
Collymore feels that a lack of regular action may have contributed to that drop-off in form, and says Mamardashvili could look to leave the club, perhaps on loan, now Alisson has stayed.
Collymore: Loan is the smartest move
"Goalkeepers and strikers need regular match minutes to develop – you cannot refine spatial awareness or match sharpness purely from the bench," said the ex-Reds forward when speaking to 10bet. "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.
"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."
Trafford comparison
"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?"
"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."
