It seemingly wouldn’t be a Merseyside derby without some sort of significant injury. Giorgio Mamardashvili, already filling in for the injured Alisson Becker, was part of a nasty collision during Everton’s goal. The match was halted for a lengthy spell as the medical staff saw to the goalkeeper before he was eventually stretchered off. Third string goalkeeper Freddie Woodman had to replace Mamardashvili for the remainder of the match.
After the match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot was thankfully able to provide what seemed like a positive update. It seems that Mamardashvili sustained an open wound that requires treatment, but is not expected to be a long term issue.
“He has gone off to hospital,” said Slot of the goalkeeper.
“It looked to me, and that’s also what they told me, that he had a big wound – an open wound. That’s of course not going to be a long-term injury. Let’s see if he is available for next week.”
If Mamardashvili is unavailable, Woodman would likely start against Crystal Palace next Saturday as Liverpool look to keep pace for a Champions League spot. Arne Slot is already dealing with a thin squad. Thankfully for Liverpool, Freddie Woodman is pretty solid as far as a third string goalkeeper goes. He has made 127 appearances in the Championship for Preston North End over the prior 3 seasons.
“We’ve had almost in all positions our problems and now even two goalkeepers being out. So it’s a good thing that we have three goalkeepers, because we usually don’t have three full-backs or three No.9s or three left wingers, and now it happens in a position where we have three players.”
