Alisson Becker, Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper and one of the most important figures in the squad, has officially cut his pre-season tour short after making his first appearance of the summer in what turned out to be a bruising 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Hong Kong. It was a game that started with hope but ended with a mixture of disappointment and concern, not just because of the scoreline but because of the announcement that followed.
The Brazilian will play no further part in this year’s pre-season tour and is instead heading back to Merseyside. The club has not described the move as an injury crisis, but in football, any early exit from a pre-season camp for a player of Alisson’s stature is bound to raise questions and stir the fanbase into speculation. For Liverpool supporters, seeing their world-class shot-stopper back in England earlier than expected is unsettling, especially when the season is just around the corner.
Alisson’s outing against Milan was his first taste of action since the summer break, and while the result was far from flattering, there were still flashes of his usual composure and command of the box. Yet, it wasn’t a vintage defensive display from the Premier League champions, and conceding four goals is never something a side of Liverpool’s ambitions can simply brush off. Still, pre-season is always a strange animal — more about fitness, experiments, and rhythm than results — but for many fans, losing their No. 1 from the squad at this stage feels like a blow, regardless of the reasons. The official line is that Alisson is heading home to focus on training at the AXA facility in Kirkby ahead of the final preparations for the 2025-26 campaign.
The timing of his departure means that when Liverpool step onto the pitch at the Nissan Stadium in Japan on Wednesday to face Yokohama F. Marinos, a new figure will stand between the posts. Giorgi Mamardashvili, fresh from Valencia and widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young goalkeepers, is set to start. For the Georgian, this is not just a routine friendly. This is his chance to make an early statement in a red shirt, to show why Liverpool invested in him as the long-term deputy — and possible future successor — to Alisson. At 24 years old, Mamardashvili already has a reputation for being calm under pressure, commanding in the air, and fearless in one-on-one situations. Now, under the bright lights of a packed stadium in Japan, he has the opportunity to give fans a glimpse of what he brings to the table.
For Arne Slot, this situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Losing Alisson’s presence on the pitch and in the dressing room, even for just a segment of pre-season, is not ideal. The Brazilian is not only a leader but also a key communicator with the backline, someone whose voice carries authority in high-pressure situations. At the same time, this enforced change allows Slot to integrate Mamardashvili into the team dynamic much faster. Goalkeepers, more than any other position, need to build chemistry with their defenders — learning their tendencies, understanding their positioning, and building trust. A game like this against Yokohama F. Marinos is a perfect low-risk, high-value scenario for that process to begin.
Liverpool’s pre-season tour has been intense so far, both in terms of schedule and the physical demands placed on the players. Travelling from Europe to Asia, facing high temperatures and humidity, and adapting to different pitches and atmospheres is never easy. Alisson, like other senior players, has been managing his workload carefully, but the decision to send him home now may also be part of a broader plan to ensure he is in peak condition when the real battles begin in August. The club’s medical and performance staff will have mapped out every detail of his pre-season preparation, and sometimes that means cutting a trip short in favour of controlled training back home.
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From a fan’s perspective, the upcoming Yokohama game will be interesting not just for seeing Mamardashvili in action, but also for how Liverpool’s defence adapts without Alisson’s familiar voice guiding them. Players like Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Andy Robertson will shoulder more responsibility in marshalling the backline, while Mamardashvili will have to quickly assert himself and communicate confidently. For a goalkeeper, especially one new to the club, those first few games are crucial in establishing authority and trust.
The match in Japan will also give the Liverpool coaching staff a better sense of their depth in goalkeeping. Caoimhin Kelleher has been a reliable deputy in the past, but with his own future at the club occasionally linked to transfer rumours, Mamardashvili’s arrival was seen as both a reinforcement and a strategic move for the years ahead. Now, with Alisson’s early return home, the Georgian could leapfrog straight into the spotlight sooner than expected.
While Alisson’s absence from the remainder of the tour is a talking point, Liverpool’s pre-season still rolls on, and the key for Slot is to keep building the team’s rhythm and fitness. The trip has already provided a mixture of competitive challenges and fan engagement, and the Yokohama clash will be another chance to test tactical tweaks, experiment with lineups, and give minutes to both established stars and emerging talents. For Mamardashvili, it is a stage to prove he can be trusted not just as a backup, but as a real contender in the seasons to come.
