Sport
John Aldridge Criticizes Liverpool’s Decision to Sign Mamardashvili Over Kelleher
Liverpool legend John Aldridge has expressed concerns over the club’s decision to prioritize the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili over retaining their backup goalkeeper.
Caoimhin Kelleher believes he is the superior player. Aldridge, a former striker for the Reds, voiced his frustration at what he sees as a poor decision by the club’s management, especially given Kelleher’s consistent performances when called upon last season.
Kelleher, the Irish goalkeeper, was thrust into the spotlight due to regular injuries to first-choice keeper Alisson.
Despite being a backup, Kelleher impressed with his performances, making 26 appearances and keeping five clean sheets.
His contribution was significant, especially during moments when Alisson was sidelined, and many fans and pundits alike praised him for his solid displays between the posts.
However, despite these strong performances, Liverpool has already agreed to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, with the Georgian goalkeeper set to join the club in the summer of 2025.
Mamardashvili, widely regarded as a promising young talent, has caught the eye of several top European clubs with his performances in La Liga.
But Aldridge is not convinced that Mamardashvili will be an upgrade on Kelleher, arguing that the Irish goalkeeper is currently the better option.
Aldridge expressed his belief that Kelleher’s future at Liverpool could be in jeopardy with the arrival of Mamardashvili.
He suggested that the club could be making a mistake by pushing Kelleher out to make room for the Georgian keeper, who will likely be seen as a long-term replacement for Alisson.
Aldridge believes Kelleher is a valuable asset and should not be overlooked, as he has already shown his worth in critical moments during the season.
He told Sunday World, “I think Liverpool are making a mistake with their Ireland keeper.
Kelleher is better than Mamardashvili, who will arrive at Anfield next summer.”
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey has opened up about a difficult period in his career, revealing that he almost stepped away from football.
Speaking during a recent interview, Bassey shared that he once made a personal promise to himself to quit pursuing football professionally if he failed to secure a spot at a professional club.
“I remember being 15 and going into my final year, and I told myself that if I didn’t get into a professional club, I would quit football. It was that simple,” he said.
“I would just stop pursuing it seriously and only play for fun. Thank God I eventually got a club, because I honestly don’t know where I would be otherwise.”
It has been reported that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined Egypt $5,000 following their clash with Zimbabwe for failing to manage post-match media obligations.
It was noted that after the match, the Egyptian players ignored the media. This action was said to be a violation of CAF’s media regulations, which led to the fine being imposed.
Head of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, shared that the big-name players on the team are not happy about being benched.
He recalled when he took out Samuel Chukwueze during the match against Tanzania.
“Yes, of course, we’ve in this team a lot of big names. They are competitors; they aren’t happy when they go to the bench,” Chelle said at his post-match interview.”
“My job is to make choices, and we’re playing a 4-4-2 diamond, and at this moment I feel we have to protect the wing.”
Davido Fulfils ₦20 Million Promise to Carter Efe After Record-Breaking Stream
Super Eagles Star Calvin Bassey Opens Up on Nearly Walking Away from Football
