Giorgi Mamardashvili explains cheeky bet with Vinicius Junior before Real Madrid heroics
Latest Liverpool news and rumours as incoming Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili explains the bet he made with Vinicius Junior during Valencia's La Liga match against Real Madrid
Soon-to-be Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has revealed he made a cheeky bet with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during Valencia's La Liga match at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are locked in a title race with rivals Barcelona and had a huge opportunity to take the lead just 12 minutes into the game.
Real Madrid were awarded a penalty after VAR intervention, but Vini Jr's attempt from the spot was expertly saved by Mamardashvili.
Valencia went on to take the lead just a few minutes later and were not deterred when the Real Madrid winger made amends for his missed penalty with a goal in the second-half.
Mamardashvili made a number of crucial saves to keep the scoreline level before the visitors snatched a last-gasp stoppage time winner to leave the 15-time Champions League winners stunned on their own turf.
Mamardashvili spoke to the media after the game and shared that he bet €50 he would save Vini Jr's penalty kick.
"I had a conversation with Vinicius and won 50 euros from him," the goalkeeper told journalists in the mixed zone, as quoted by MARCA.
"I asked him if he wanted to gamble 50 euros and he said yes. I stopped him and I won. He was supposed to pay me after the game , but he hasn't given it to me yet. It's no big deal."
The Georgian international became the first signing of the Arne Slot era last year when Liverpool agreed an initial £25m fee with Valencia.
He remained in Spain for the 2024/25 season, but will formally join up with his new teammates at Anfield upon the conclusion of the current campaign.
Mamardashvili's Man of the Match performance against Real Madrid will give him some much-needed confidence after what can only be described as a challenging season for the goalkeeper.
After his heroics for his country at Euro 2024, the 24-year-old has admitted he's struggled for form for Valencia this term.
When he officially makes the switch to Anfield, he will be tasked with battling Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker for the No1 shirt.
It is also not yet known what the future holds for Liverpool's current No2, Caoimhin Kelleher, who has deputised expertly for Alisson over the last couple of years.