Forget Isak and Ekitike, Liverpool already pulled off an incredible £29m signing nobody is talking about

Liverpool’s summer transfer window has been filled with drama, headlines, records, and big names. The football world has been talking nonstop about Alexander Isak’s £125 million arrival from Newcastle, Florian Wirtz smashing the British transfer record earlier in the window, and the exciting addition of Hugo Ekitike. These names dominated the news, social media, and fan discussions. Yet hidden behind all the fireworks and glamour, Liverpool quietly pulled off one of the smartest signings of modern times, a move that almost nobody is giving the attention it truly deserves. That signing is Giorgi Mamardashvili. At £29 million, this could prove to be the most important piece of business Liverpool have done in years, a deal that is about much more than just the present—it is about the future of the club, the dynasty being built under Arne Slot, and the careful long-term planning that separates Liverpool from other chaotic clubs.

When Liverpool won the Premier League last season in stunning fashion, many thought they would enjoy the success and take it slow in the market. But the new leadership under Arne Slot and the recruitment team decided otherwise. Instead of standing still, they went on the attack. They spent £446 million, broke transfer records, and rebuilt the squad with youth, talent, and ambition. The headlines screamed about Isak and Wirtz. Fans debated whether Ekitike was the right signing. Journalists praised the boldness of Liverpool’s owners for giving Slot this kind of backing. But while the bright lights were on the frontline attackers and midfield creators, Liverpool’s management had already secured the next number one goalkeeper for years to come. The timing, the price, and the strategy behind Mamardashvili’s signing prove that Liverpool are not just building for today—they are building for the next decade.

Giorgi Mamardashvili first came into the spotlight during his time at Valencia. The tall Georgian keeper quickly established himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in La Liga. His sharp reflexes, calm distribution, and commanding presence inside the box drew interest from many European giants. Clubs like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and even Manchester United were linked with him at different stages. But Liverpool moved early, acting with a clarity that others lacked. In the summer of 2024, while the football world was distracted by bigger names, Liverpool quietly agreed to pay £29 million for Mamardashvili and loan him back to Valencia for a season. That move ensured two things: first, that the player got regular playing time in Spain instead of sitting on the bench in England, and second, that Liverpool locked down their future goalkeeper before the market exploded.

And explode it did. This summer, the goalkeeper carousel across Europe was absolute chaos. Manchester City saw Ederson leave, leading them to spend huge money on both James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma. Manchester United were unsure whether Andre Onana should stay or go, while also signing Senne Lammens. Aston Villa almost lost Emiliano Martinez but fought to keep him. Real Madrid also explored changes between the posts, while Bayern Munich kept their eyes open for alternatives to Manuel Neuer. Amid all this turbulence, Liverpool calmly watched, knowing their future was already secured. Mamardashvili’s deal suddenly looked like a masterstroke, a piece of business that now seems priceless compared to the fees and uncertainty surrounding goalkeepers at rival clubs.

For now, Mamardashvili is Liverpool’s number two, sitting behind Alisson Becker. Alisson is still one of the very best in the world, a goalkeeper who has won every trophy possible with the club and built a legacy as one of the greatest keepers in Premier League history. But time waits for no one. At 32, Alisson still has years left, but Liverpool know that a transition is coming sooner rather than later. Instead of panicking in two or three years when that moment arrives, they have already secured his heir. The Georgian is learning every day from Alisson, training with him, understanding the demands of English football, and preparing for the moment he will take over as the first choice. For Liverpool, this is not just about preparing for change—it is about ensuring there is no drop in quality when that change happens.

Liverpool fans may not yet fully realise the importance of Mamardashvili. He hasn’t played many games for the Reds, and his role for now is to wait and learn. But history shows that the clubs who dominate football for years are those who prepare before they are forced to act. Manchester United struggled for years after losing Edwin van der Sar because they did not secure his successor early enough. Chelsea went through chaos after Petr Čech left, trying different options until they finally landed on Édouard Mendy and later Kepa Arrizabalaga with mixed results. By contrast, Liverpool are making sure there will be no crisis moment. When Alisson eventually decides to move on, retire, or return to Brazil, Mamardashvili will be ready to step in seamlessly.

This smart long-term thinking mirrors what Liverpool have done across the pitch this summer. Many feared that once Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah reach the twilight of their careers, Liverpool would lose their edge. But look at the squad today. They have Isak, Ekitike, and Wirtz ready to dominate in attack. They have Frimpong, Kerkez, and the emerging Leoni to build a new backline. And they have Mamardashvili already prepared for life after Alisson. This is not a club scrambling from season to season. This is a club building a dynasty, piece by piece, ensuring the future is secured even before the present has ended.

When Mamardashvili first pulled on the Liverpool shirt this summer in pre-season, it was a historic moment for Georgian football. Georgia is not a country known for producing world-class stars in Europe’s biggest leagues. His rise from Tbilisi to Valencia and now Liverpool is a story of determination, talent, and ambition. Standing at 6’6, he cuts an imposing figure in goal, but his story is about much more than size. It is about vision, resilience, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. At Valencia, he was often tested by relentless attacks from La Liga’s biggest clubs, and he earned respect for his consistency. Now at Liverpool, he is ready to step into a bigger stage, even if for now he must play the role of an understudy.

The silence around Mamardashvili’s signing is almost strange. When Liverpool announced him officially this summer after his loan ended, it barely created noise compared to the Isak deal or the Wirtz transfer. Social media posts were short. Headlines moved quickly onto other stories. Yet, within Melwood and inside Anfield, people know this is a signing that could define the next era. Arne Slot himself has been quietly pleased. He knows that no matter how good his outfield players are, he cannot dominate without security at the back. A world-class goalkeeper is the foundation of every great team, and with Mamardashvili waiting, Liverpool’s foundation is already built.

Look across the Premier League. Manchester City are experimenting. Manchester United are debating. Chelsea are uncertain. Arsenal are stable with David Raya, but even there, long-term questions exist. Liverpool, however, are calm. They already know the path ahead. This calmness is not an accident—it is the result of strategy, planning, and trust in their scouting department. It is why their £29 million signing is, in truth, one of the smartest pieces of business in football.

And that price itself is worth highlighting. £29 million for a goalkeeper of Mamardashvili’s quality in today’s market is remarkable value. In a world where clubs are spending over £100 million for attackers and £60-70 million for defenders, securing one of the most promising young keepers in Europe for under £30 million feels almost unreal. If Liverpool had waited until this summer or next, his price could easily have doubled or tripled. By moving early, they saved themselves tens of millions and secured a player who could be their number one for a decade. That is not just smart—it is visionary.

Football history may look back at this signing the way people now look back at deals like Manchester United signing Cristiano Ronaldo as a teenager, or Barcelona quietly bringing in Marc-André ter Stegen years before he hit his peak. Sometimes the most important signings are not the flashy ones. Sometimes they are the quiet moves that prepare a club for dominance long after the headlines have faded. Giorgi Mamardashvili could very well be that kind of signing for Liverpool.

So, while the world talks about Isak scoring goals, Wirtz creating magic, and Ekitike bringing energy, Liverpool fans should also whisper another name with excitement—Mamardashvili. Because when the time comes, and when Alisson eventually leaves, Liverpool will not panic. They will simply introduce their new number one, a goalkeeper already prepared, already trained, and already trusted. And in that moment, everyone will realise that the £29 million signing that nobody talked about was, in fact, one of the most incredible transfers Liverpool ever made.

This is how dynasties are built—not just with today’s stars, but with tomorrow’s leaders already waiting in the shadows. Liverpool know it. Mamardashvili knows it. And soon, the whole world will know it too.