Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was substituted after being injured as Everton scored an equaliser through Beto in the Merseyside derby
Giorgi Mamardashvili is placed on a stretcher(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Liverpool have suffered a new injury blow as Giorgi Mamardashvili was injured during Everton’s equaliser in the Merseyside derby. The former Valencia goalkeeper was replaced by Freddie Woodman, who entered the game to make his Premier League debut.
A sliding Beto and Andy Robertson collided with Mamardashvili as the shotstopper was unable to prevent the Toffees forward from scoring at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Georgia international could be seen holding his side and knee as he received treatment by his goal line before being stretchered from the field.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall capitalised when Ibrahima Konate did not deal with a long ball. The ex-Chelsea and Leicester ace provided a teasing throughball which saw Mamardashvili fall victim as Beto got ahead of Robertons.
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“Giorgi Mamardashvili really did feel there was something wrong with his knee there,” said Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Freddie Woodman is third choice but he is coming on.
“What an opportunity for Everton now. If you’re in blue, get that ball to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as often as you can because he is the danger man.”
“It is another blow for Arne Slot as the Reds look to confirm their place in next season’s Champions League. Mamardashvili has been the Dutchman’s first choice option with Alisson Becker out of action and not expected back until next month.
Slot said that Alisson was “working hard to find his way back into the squad, so that’s really positive” ahead of the match against Everton
Liverpool had two goalkeeping options among their substitutes, with Slot having to choose between Woodman and Armin Pecsi. Both players arrived in the summer, as did Mamardashvili after he spent a year on loan with Valencia following his move being agreed 12 months before.
Coming on in the 59th minute, Woodman made his first Premier League appearance for the Reds after last making an outing in the division for Newcastle United in the 2021/22 season. The goalkeeper arrived at Anfield on a free transfer after allowing his contract with Preston North End to expire after three seasons with the Championship club.
Liverpool had taken the lead on Merseyside on Sunday through Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian sent a hammer blow through the stadium as he found the net in his final derby match moments after the Toffees had a goal ruled out.
Iliman Ndiaye found the net and sent the ground into raptures before Chris Kavanagh was told by VAR to cancel the goal due to offside. Jake O’Brien, who provided the assist, was offside in the build-up.
The Toffees also suffered an injury blow when Jarrad Branthwaite was stretched off the field in the 87th minute. The Everton defender was replaced by Michael Keane.
Virgil van Dijk scored a header in the 101st minute to secure the Reds a very late away win.
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