Collymore Urges Mamardashvili to Leave Liverpool After Alisson's Vice-Captaincy
Stan Collymore believes Giorgi Mamardashvili should seriously consider walking away from Liverpool now that Alisson Becker has stayed put at Anfield.
The Georgian goalkeeper, who arrived from Valencia and turned out 20 times for the Reds last season, endured a difficult first campaign in England. He was on the losing side in 12 of those matches and came under fire for a string of shaky performances while standing in for the injured Alisson.
Any hope that the No.2 might quickly grow into a genuine challenger for the shirt has taken a hit this summer. Alisson, linked with Juventus, has not only remained at the club but has also been confirmed as vice-captain by new boss Andoni Iraola. The hierarchy is clear. So is the pecking order.
For Collymore, that spells a crossroads.
‘Smartest career move’
"Goalkeepers and strikers need regular match minutes to develop – you cannot refine spatial awareness or match sharpness purely from the bench," the former Liverpool forward told 10bet, arguing that Mamardashvili’s stagnation is no mystery.
"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."
Mamardashvili, who turns 26 next month, is approaching the phase of his career when a goalkeeper usually begins to peak. Collymore’s concern is that another year watching Alisson from the sidelines would do more than just stall him – it could define him.
"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," Collymore said. "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."
A warning from James Trafford’s path
To hammer the point home, Collymore drew a parallel with James Trafford’s situation, another young goalkeeper whose reputation risks being shaped by minutes he does not play.
"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 message is blunt: accept the comfort of a big club bench now, and you may never be seen as anything more than a squad piece.
For Collymore, the solution starts with an honest conversation.
"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?'" he said. "If the manager cannot offer those guarantees, you request an immediate loan move."
Alisson has the gloves and the armband to match his status. Mamardashvili, if he wants a career built on more than warm-ups and cup cameos, may have to find his future somewhere else.
