Image Credits: Imago Images
Premier League champions Liverpool reportedly passed on signing PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier as they assessed long-term replacements for Alisson Becker.
The Reds face PSG on Wednesday night in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Parc des Princes, although neither Chevalier nor Alisson are expected to feature, with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to start in what could be the biggest game of his career.
According to The Times, Liverpool considered Chevalier before opting for Mamardashvili, while Porto’s Diogo Costa was also on their radar. However, the Georgian was viewed as the better-value option, with his performances at Euro 2024 playing a key role in the decision.
Chevalier joined PSG from Lille for around £48million last summer and was expected to succeed Gianluigi Donnarumma as the club’s long-term No.1. However, the 24-year-old has since lost his place to 27-year-old Matvei Safonov.
Chevalier has racked up 26 appearances and kept 10 clean sheets for Luis Enrique’s side across all competitions this season. His struggles may help explain Liverpool’s decision, with Mamardashvili making 14 appearances so far, largely deputising for the injured Alisson, and set to do so again in Paris.
Mamardashvili officially became a Liverpool player in July 2025 after the club agreed a deal with Valencia the previous summer. He arrived at Anfield following four seasons in Spain, making 134 appearances for Los Che.
The Georgian made his international debut in September 2021 against Bulgaria and has since become a key figure for his country. He starred at Euro 2024, recording 21 saves in the group stage — the joint-most by any goalkeeper in the competition’s history.
Mamardashvili began his career at FC Gagra before moving to Dinamo Tbilisi. Although he did not break into the first team there, loan spells at FC Rustavi and Locomotive Tbilisi provided valuable senior experience.
His performances earned him the Georgian Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2020 and attracted interest from Valencia, who signed him ahead of the 2021–22 season. He made an immediate impact, keeping a clean sheet on his debut against Getafe.
Mamardashvili played a key role in Valencia’s run to the Copa del Rey final in his first season and soon established himself as the club’s undisputed No.1. In February 2024, he set a new club record for the most consecutive La Liga appearances by a goalkeeper, surpassing Jose Manuel Ochotorena’s previous mark of 59.
He finished the 2023–24 campaign with 13 clean sheets and was nominated for the 2024 Yashin Trophy, placing seventh in the voting. Later that year, he was named Georgian Footballer of the Year, ending Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s dominance of the award.
Mamardashvili and Kvaratskhelia are close friends and often stay behind after national team training to compete in extra drills. Mamardashvili took the next step in his career by joining Liverpool ahead of the 2025–26 season.
He made his debut in a Carabao Cup win over Southampton and featured in his first Premier League match away at Chelsea in October 2025.
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