Liverpool star stunned by SURPRISE inclusion on Ballon d'Or awards shortlist | OneFootball

In recent years, Liverpool’s goalkeeping talent has been in abundance.

The signing of Alisson Becker in 2018 will go down as one of the best purchases in footballing history.

The Brazilian has changed the way goalkeeping is seen. His calmness and authority in the net has taken the Reds from a standard team to hungry, ambitious trophy winners.

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On top of this, the rise of Caoimhin Kelleher cannot go unnoticed. The Irish keeper has helped Liverpool on so many occasions most notably the League Cup final earlier this year.

But it’s one Reds goalkeeper who hasn’t even made an appearance for the club yet that has been nominated for the Yashin Trophy at the upcoming Ballon d'Or gala.

Mamardashvili receives Yashin nomination

Giorgi Mamardashvili signed for the Reds this summer for a reported £35 million, but was loaned back to Valencia for the remainder of this season and will officially join up with the club next summer as Alisson's potential successor.

The 23-year-old keeper showed his strong ability when competing for Georgia in the Euros this year, helping guide the European minnows to the last 16 of the competition.

His performances have warranted the Georgian to now be nominated for the prestigious Yashin Trophy at this year's Ballon d’Or awards which will take place on October 28.

Giorgi Mamardashvili of Georgia after the UEFA Nations League match between Georgia and Czech Republic at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Tbilisi Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Ilia Chavchavadze Avenue, Zemo Vake, Vake, Vake District, Tbilisi, 1062, Georgia Georgia Copyright: xArturxStabulnieksx 688269

Speaking to SuperDeporte, Giorgi revealed his pride in being chosen as a potential winner. He stated: “When I was in Georgia it was my dream to be there and I'm very happy to be there. I said: 'Oh my God, I'm there'.”

It is an incredible achievement to see one of our players honoured in this way. Of course, Reds starting keeper Alisson won the award back in 2019 and supporters across the globe will be rooting for Mamardashvili to win.

The soon-to-be Liverpool player however has had a tough start to his final season in La Liga. His Valencia team sit bottom of the league after five games and haven’t picked up a single win or clean sheet.

The Valencia number 25 commented on the crisis stating: “We need to be patient, take points and recover from this situation. That is not easy, but I'm sure we can."

Liverpool supporters will be hoping his form improves and he bursts into life next season on Merseyside.

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