David Lynch Says Liverpool Made £30m Transfer Mistake With Mamardashvili

Liverpool’s recruitment strategy has produced some enormous deals, but David Lynch believes one previous decision now stands out as a significant mistake.

Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Lynch questioned Liverpool’s move for Giorgi Mamardashvili and suggested the subsequent signing of highly rated young goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans represents a change of direction.

For Lynch, the problem centres on one fundamental requirement. Liverpool need a goalkeeper comfortable with the ball at his feet, and Mamardashvili has struggled to provide it.

Mamardashvili Transfer Questioned By Lynch

Liverpool originally agreed a deal worth around £30 million for Mamardashvili before the Georgian goalkeeper eventually arrived at Anfield.

Lynch believes his profile has proven unsuitable for the way Liverpool want to play.

“We’ve spoken about it with Mamardashvili,” Lynch told Davis. “It just looks so far from the level in terms of with the ball at his feet.”

That issue becomes particularly important because Liverpool continue to involve their goalkeeper heavily in possession.

“They clearly haven’t done that. They need the goalkeeper to be good with the feet. And on that basis, Mamardashvili was a bizarre signing.”

Brughmans Deal Signals Different Direction

Liverpool’s move for Brughmans provided the backdrop to Lynch’s assessment.

The teenager was attracting significant interest before Liverpool secured him, and Lynch highlighted one particular quality.

“You look at kind of the numbers behind him and he looks a decent shot stopper early on,” he said. “He looks really good with his feet.”

That difference between the two goalkeepers is why Lynch believes Liverpool’s latest transfer could represent an acknowledgement of their previous mistake.

“This to me looks like a correction of that.”

He added: “If you were to criticise any element of the transfer approach in recent years, I think Mamardashvili goes up there as kind of one of the big mistakes they’ve made.”

Liverpool Could Recover Their Money

Mamardashvili’s reputation was built significantly upon his ability to stop shots, something Lynch readily acknowledged.

“An unbelievable shot stopper at Valencia, but just not good enough with his feet.”

The difficulty, according to Lynch, is improving that aspect sufficiently for Liverpool’s requirements.

“You’ve never seen a keeper either who’s bad with his feet who’s then learned to be good with his feet. That’s one of those innate skills, isn’t it? You either have it or you don’t and he never did really.”

There could still be an important financial consideration if Liverpool eventually decide to move Mamardashvili on.

“Now, of course, they probably can get the money back on him, which is good,” Lynch said.

£30m Decision Leaves Liverpool With Questions

Liverpool’s decision to recruit another goalkeeper therefore carries significance beyond the arrival of an exciting young prospect.

Brughmans represents a markedly different profile, particularly in possession. Lynch believes that tells its own story about how Liverpool now view the position.

“What an odd signing that was and one that didn’t ever seem like he was going to be a fit.”

Liverpool have shown a willingness to plan years ahead when recruiting players, particularly goalkeepers. On this occasion, Lynch believes the original succession plan has failed to develop as intended.

Brughmans now offers another possible route forward.

As Lynch concluded: “I think this is a good signing. He seems a smart signing.”

For Liverpool, finding the right successor to Alisson remains an enormous decision. Their latest move suggests the search for that answer continues.