HUGE BLOW》 Liverpool goalkeeper out until ‘end of year’ amid Alisson, Kelleher fitness concerns

Liverpool seem to have quite an interesting succession plan for current goalkeeper Alisson, who has long been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

The Brazilian shot stopper put an end to speculation with the Middle East in the summer, though the Reds completed the signing of Valencia number one Giorgi Mamardashvili but agreed for the Georgian goalkeeper to stay at the La Liga club for a season

Mamardashvili was a standout for his native Georgia at the Euros in the summer, having also made good progress for his club. However, it has been reported that the 24-year-old’s year has come to a premature end.

After suffering a thigh injury in Valencia’s 1-0 defeat to Rayo Vallecano, Mamardashvili is set to be out for three weeks, which will be a concern for the Reds as they hoped the signature of the goalkeeper would give them some stability in the position when he arrives at Anfield with Alisson and Caomhin Kelleher both suffering from injury problems of their own.

Valencia sit 19th in La Liga and battling relegation without one of their key players is not an ideal situation for Los Che, with backup Stole Dimitrievski set to stand in during the absence of Mamardashvili.

The signing of Mamardashvili could also see the end of Kelleher at Liverpool, who has played in important matches without putting a foot wrong for large parts, th0ugh he was at fault for Fabian Schar’s 90th minute equaliser against Newcastle last week.

Kelleher has also been linked with a move away from the club, with Nottingham Forest reportedly interested in the summer, though no move materialised. At 26 now, and number one for his native Republic of Ireland, he will surely want regular minutes.