Liverpool has changed under Arne Slot’s leadership from a formidable force to be reckoned with to one of the most lethal teams in Europe and the world. However, his dilemma with custodian selection still has to be resolved, doesn’t it?
Though there are still some things to work out, the Dutch strategist, who is considered to be among the top managers in international football, has his team playing at a high level, with the exception of the FA Cup, where they lost to Plymouth Argyle of the Championship.
Unsurprisingly, since joining Merseysider from AS Roma in the summer of 2018, Alisson Becker has been the team’s preferred custodian. However, while his absence, he faced intense competition from his deputy, Caoimhin Kelleher.
Furthermore, Slot might have to make a choice due to the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, whom the Reds postponed by a season after spending £29 million on his services. However, what is the performance of the three glovebearers described above this term?
It should be noted that the statistical in-depth analysis has included league matches (the Premier League for Kelleher and Alisson; La Liga for Mamardashvili) in addition to cup competitions, but has not included matches played in Europe.
The Seasons of Alisson, Kelleher, and Mamardashvili Alisson has given up the fewest goals per 90 so yet.
Let’s take a broad glance at each campaign’s current state before delving into the complex analytics. Due to injury and subsequent rest, the Georgian has only missed four La Liga games for Valencia, from mid-December to early January.
He has made 22 appearances, totalling 1,980 minutes of action, however he has only maintained five sheets and given up 38 goals. Nevertheless, Carlos Corberan continues to have faith in the 24-year-old former Dinamo Tbilisi player. It’s unclear how long it will last.
Slot has made Alisson, who is widely considered to be among the top goalkeepers in the world of football, his first option in goal since the Dutchman arrived. And with good cause, as he has maintained nine clean sheets in 21 league and cup outings.
Kelleher, who has been linked to a move away in the summer, especially after Mamardashvili’s arrival, has been cut to 720 minutes across all competitions in 2024–2025 due to the aforementioned Brazilian’s scorching form.
The 20-cap Ireland player, who was mostly utilised by Slot and his team from October to December 2024, was a formidable option, as seen by his rate of 0.92 goals allowed per 90.
General Statistics by Alisson, Kelleher, and Mamardashvili
Metric
Alisson
Kelleher
Mamardashvili
Looks
21
13.
22
Minutes
1,878
720
1,980
Goals given up per 90
0.85
0.92
1.73
Sheets of cleanliness
9.
5.
5.
Statistics for Stopping Shots
Allison’s chief constable, Kelleher, excels in saving metrics.
Even though Alisson has been relied upon a lot over the past seven years or so, a little competition is always good, and Mamardashvili, who was among the top players at Euro 2024, might offer a competitive saves per 90 rate.
The leaky defence of his team has given the Tiflis-born star many shots this season, but has he been able to handle the pressure? Even though his goal total indicates otherwise, he managed to record 2.23 saves per 90, which was higher than both of his Liverpool teammates.
Naturally, that might be explained by the fact that Valencia typically takes more shots than Liverpool, at least. This campaign, Mamardashvili has faced 3.91 per 90, compared to 3.01 for Alisson and 3.15 for Kellher.
Kelleher leads the league in save percentage, which is a crucial indicator of a goalie’s effectiveness, with 73.2%. In other news, Mamardashvili has a 59.3% save rate, while Alisson has 71.4%.
We learnt this week that Mamardashvili’s recent performances in goal for Valencia have not been well received by the Spanish media, and it is easy to understand why when considering his post-shot predicted goal exploits.
He has statistically allowed him 4.6 shots in his 22 appearances this season, which should have led to saves according to the PSxG-GA computation. Alisson and Kelleher of Liverpool both have positive rates, with +1.4 and +0.4, respectively.
Statistics on Alisson, Kelleher, and Mamardashvili’s Shot-Stopping
Metric
Alisson
Kelleher
Mamardashvili
Targeted shots versus per 90
3.01
3.15
3.91
Savings per 90
2.15
2.23
2.23
Conserve a percentage (%)
71.4
73.2
59.3
Clean sheet percentage
38.1
38.5
22.7
Expected goals after the shot less permitted goals
+0.4
+1.4
-4.6
Completing Statistics
Each of the three goalkeepers is the best in their own right.
As in the current game of goalkeeping, the emphasis has shifted to a shot-stopper’s ability to play the ball rather than how well they can stop an incoming shot or how far they can reach to tip a long-range effort around the post.
But what about the three players we are concentrating on? Ederson of Manchester City, in particular, has received praise for his skill with the ball at his feet and, like an experienced centre midfielder, can blast balls with either foot.
No matter how long they are, Kelleher tries to play the most passes out of the three (37.0 per 90). Since the 2024–25 campaign began, Alisson and Mamardashvili have each tried 30.7; however, how many of these have been successful?
Isn’t that the most crucial part of passing? And with an 83.1% completion rate, Alisson, one of the top 15 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in Champions League history, has that down pat.
Kelleher, on the other hand, completes the most passes per 90 (27.6 per 90 as opposed to 25.5 for Alisson and 20.4 for Mamardashvili), demonstrating his ability to control play and select teammates from within his own 18-yard box.
When passing is broken down into its component pieces, it can be divided into two categories: long and short. With a 47.2% completion rate, Alisson dominates the former since he can easily identify players like Mohamed Salah.
This season, Kelleher and Mamardashvili have been tied for the best in completing short passes, with both goalkeepers recording a flawless 100% percentage. Allison’s is less remarkable; as of this writing, it stands at 98.7%.
Passing Statistics by Alisson, Kelleher, and Mamardashvili
Metric
Alisson
Kelleher
Mamardashvili
Attempts at passes per 90
30.7
37.0
30.7
completed passes in accordance with 90
25.5
27.6
20.4
Pass completion percentage (%)
83.1
74.7
66.5
Total distance measured in yards
561.9
593.6
606.0
The percentage of short pass completions
98.7
One hundred
One hundred
Long pass completion rate (%)
47.2
30.2
40.1
Mamardashvili has disappointed, whereas Kelleher has excelled.
Alisson of Liverpool maintained his consistency throughout.
Although it’s still unclear if Alisson will stay on Anfield’s books and continue to serve as Slot’s starting custodian, Kelleher’s run of outstanding performances across all metrics will give him plenty to think about.
When you combine his performances for the Reds with his strength as a shot-stopper and his comfort with the ball at his feet, as indicated by the figures, he’s an obvious option. But there are worries about his future.
Considering that Mamardashvili ranks the lowest of the group overall, those connected to the Merseyside-based team will be hoping for an improvement in his play between now and his arrival in the 2025–2026 preseason.
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