MAMARDASHVILI STRETCHERED OFF: LIVERPOOL TURN TO THIRD-CHOICE WOODMAN FOR DERBY GLORY
Liverpool wins 2-1 at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Arne Slot praises debutant Woodman after Mamardashvili injury.
Arne Slot shared that Giorgi Mamardashvili had to be taken to the hospital after suffering an injury, which unexpectedly handed Freddie Woodman his debut in the Merseyside derby for Liverpool.
Mamardashvili left the pitch on a stretcher following extensive treatment for a leg wound caused during Everton’s equaliser by Beto, while Mohamed Salah had opened the scoring earlier at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Stepping in once more for the hampered Alisson Becker, Mamardashvili was replaced by Woodman, who managed to keep a clean sheet as Liverpool clinched a dramatic victory thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s injury-time header in the 248th derby.
With both Alisson's and Mamardashvili’s recoveries uncertain, it looks like Woodman could be gearing up for his first Premier League start at home against Crystal Palace on Saturday, the same team against which he made his Liverpool debut in the League Cup defeat last October.
Slot commented, “Giorgi had to go to the hospital with a big wound, so we’ll have to wait and see how he’s doing.
“But Freddie deserves a lot of credit. Coming in just after conceding the equaliser, when the crowd was already expecting an Everton goal, he really stepped up.
“He stayed composed at a tricky moment, when he hesitated about whether to catch the ball, but kept his nerves steady.
“Freddie’s worked hard for this chance. Usually third-choice goalkeepers don’t get many opportunities, but given how this season has unfolded, anyone playing even in the under-8s at Liverpool should be ready to make their debut; it’s quite something to witness.”
Liverpool had already been without Hugo Ekitike and Joe Gomez, who played against Paris Saint-Germain last Tuesday. Slot named only eight players on the bench for the Everton match, including academy goalkeeper Armin Pecsi.
He added, “Is there anything surprising about the injury situation this season? Maybe not, since I had two goalkeepers on the bench today, which isn't typical. But of course, it’s related to the availability of other positions as well.
“Freddie did a great job.”
JAMES PEARCE IDENTIFIES MAC ALLISTER, CHIESA, GOMEZ, AND JONES AS POTENTIAL SUMMER DEPARTURES
James Pearce reveals Liverpool’s transfer shortlist. From Mac Allister to Chiesa, see who is leaving Anfield in 2026.
A leading Liverpool journalist has highlighted four key first-team players who could be on their way out of Anfield this summer. Among them, it may finally be time to consider offloading Alexis Mac Allister, possibly to Real Madrid.
Following Liverpool’s 4-0 aggregate loss to PSG, manager Arne Slot openly discussed the idea that this group of players is reaching the twilight of its cycle. He described Liverpool as a club in transition, navigating the natural ebb and flow that comes with player turnover. Several of the club’s most successful figures have already left or are about to depart.
Slot mentioned that this will continue through free transfers. Mo Salah and Andrew Robertson both fall into this category, with the latter already confirmed to leave, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure has occurred. The club needs to recover funds and reinvest, which is a familiar pattern for teams in this phase.
As has been reported, both Robertson and Salah will move on in the summer. This opens the door for recruits; for example, TEAMtalk recently revealed plans to bring in David Raum at left-back. Alongside that, a new winger is expected, with Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig currently the leading candidate.
James Pearce of The Athletic, a respected Liverpool insider, adds that beyond those departures, four more notable players might follow the exodus, reinforcing the idea that Liverpool needs “major surgery.” Fu Federico Chiesa is reportedly set to leave, while uncertainties persist over Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones, each with only a year left on their contracts.
Also under discussion is Ibrahima Konate’s future. Talks over a contract extension are ongoing, but Pearce questions whether the time might be right to cash in on Mac Allister, especially given his recent dip in form.
While Konate’s situation remains unresolved, the consensus leans toward him re-signing at Anfield. That leaves Gomez, Jones, Mac Allister, and Chiesa as the primary candidates for potential exits.
Mac Allister’s possible departure would be the biggest shock of the lot. At 27, he’s in what should be the prime of his career, having earned a spot in the PFA team of the year less than a season ago. His contract also extends further than those of Gomez and Jones, running until 2028.
Yet, his performances this Premier League season have often looked sluggish, and he’s struggled to adapt to the league’s physical demands. The shift toward a more power- and set-piece-oriented style doesn’t seem to favour his game.
Real Madrid frequently comes up in the Spanish media as a likely destination for the World Cup winner. While a transfer might have seemed unlikely last year, it now feels more plausible. The Spanish league’s emphasis on technical skill over sheer physicality could suit Mac Allister much better.
There’s also talk that a swap deal involving Mac Allister and Eduardo Camavinga isn’t out of the question.
Chiesa is expected to head back to Italy if he leaves, while Curtis Jones remains a target for Inter Milan, who showed interest earlier this year. Gomez’s next move is less clear, but if his long stint at Liverpool ends, questions will linger over where he might head.
HUGO EKITIKE SUFFERS RUPTURED ACHILLES TENDON; SURGERY AND LONG-TERM REHAB EXPECTED
Hugo Ekitike is out for nine months! Discover how Liverpool and France will cope without the £79m star.
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is set for a long spell on the sidelines after picking up a serious injury against Paris Saint-Germain. He’s out of this summer’s World Cup.
He started Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final at Anfield, facing his former club, but things took a bad turn. About half an hour in, Ekitike went down off the ball, and the sight of him being stretchered off left everyone concerned.
Medical tests didn’t bring good news. Ekitike has a ruptured Achilles tendon, which means he won’t be back for months. Reports say we won’t see him again for eight or nine months.
That kind of layoff keeps him out for the rest of this season and well into the 2026/27 campaign, with a return likely not until early 2027.
He’ll also miss the World Cup in North America. France, one of the tournament favourites, will have to get by without him. They’re in Group I with Senegal, Iraq, and Norway.
For Liverpool, Ekitike’s absence is a huge blow. The club is aiming for a top-five Premier League finish to secure a spot in the Champions League for next season. After a much-needed 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, Liverpool sits fifth, four points up on Chelsea with six matches left. The Merseyside derby at Everton comes next, and Liverpool also faces Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Brentford, Manchester United, and Aston Villa.
It’s been a tough campaign already. After a heavy defeat to PSG, which knocked them out of the Champions League, the pressure has grown on manager Arne Slot. Now, with Ekitike out, there’s even more riding on Alexander Isak, who’s just coming back from a broken leg. He started against PSG but only lasted 45 minutes. Mohamed Salah, nearing a summer exit, will be counted on even more in his final months at Anfield.
Ekitike signed from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79 million last summer and was having a solid first season in England, with 17 goals in 45 games across all competitions. Now, Liverpool has to find a way to move forward without him.
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