Mamardashvili and Valencia already in relegation battle after catastrophic start

Liverpool only had to sign two top players last summer: Federico Chiesa from Juventus to strengthen the attack and Giorgi Mamardashvili, the star goalkeeper from Georgia and Valencia, on a delayed deal that will see him arrive at Anfield next summer.

In the meantime, however, Mamardashvili remains focused on Valencia, who have started the season in a miserable form and have just one point after five games. This return means Los Ches are at the bottom of the La Liga table – and have the second worst goal difference in Spain.

“We have to win again and with the help of the Mestalla we will do it,” he told local journalists during a break in training this week. “The important thing is to win the next two games and get out of this situation. We have to change the dynamic because the five games have been very difficult.”

“We didn't win against Barca, but we played very well and got a point against Villarreal. We need to get points and make up for it at home. We've had five difficult games, but now we need to look forward, get points and get out of the situation. It's not easy, but I think we can do it.”

A 1-1 draw at home to ten-man Villarreal on August 31 is their only point of the season. They returned from the international break with a 3-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid. Their other defeats came against Bilbao, Celta Vigo and Barcelona.

On paper, this run of games had already marked a difficult start to the season, but at the same time, one could have reasonably expected more than just a point from the club and that, coupled with Valencia's difficulties on both sides of the pitch, was notable.

The upcoming home games against Girona and then Osasuna (10th and 13th in the table respectively) seem like must-wins, and anything less than a win, a draw and four points could seriously jeopardise Valencia's hopes of avoiding relegation.