Incoming Liverpool star helps end unwanted 17-year record at Real Madrid to give Arsenal hope of Champions League upset

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A soon-to-be Liverpool star's heroics helped Valencia record their first victory at Real Madrid since 2008.

Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to join Arne Slot's side on July 1 as competition for Alisson Becker having impressed between the sticks for the Mestalla outfit.

Mamardashvili once again starred between the sticks - this time against Real Madrid

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Mamardashvili once again starred between the sticks - this time against Real MadridCredit: Getty

His latest dazzling display may just have been his best yet as he helped to nullify Los Blancos and help his side to a shock 2-1 win at the Bernabeu.

Despite Real Madrid having 21 shots on goal, Mamardashvili conceded just once and even denied Vinicius Jr with a stunning stop from the penalty spot.

The 24-year-old joined Valencia in 2021 and has played 126 times for the club, as well as representing Georgia 29 times - including at last year's Euro 2024.

It's the first time since January 2019 that Madrid have failed to win a LaLiga match in which they've had so many shots at goal.

The defeat to Valencia means that Carlos Corberan's side have also ended a 17-year winless run at the Bernabeu.

Defeat for Real Madrid will give confidence to Arsenal who host the Spanish giants in the Champions League quarter-final first leg next week.

Real have now conceded seven goals in all competitions on home soil across three matches over the past week.

It was Mouctar Diakhaby who gave Valencia the lead in the 15th minute, before Vinicius Jr equalised for Real Madrid shortly into the second half.

With the game looking like it was heading for a draw, Hugo Duro popped up with a winner for Valencia in the fifth minute of injury time at the end of the game to condemn Carlo Ancelotti's side to a costly defeat in the title race with Barcelona now firmly in control.

As far as Liverpool's new man is concerned, Georgia assistant coach David Webb believes that the national team's number one goalkeeper won't take long to start challenging Alisson for his number one jersey at Anfield.

The Georgian goalkeeper saved Vini Jr's penalty on the way to victory

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The Georgian goalkeeper saved Vini Jr's penalty on the way to victoryCredit: Getty

It may well have been his best performance in a Valencia shirt

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It may well have been his best performance in a Valencia shirtCredit: Getty

Speaking to talkSPORT.com, Webb said: “His ceiling is really high. Alisson is still in fantastic form and he’s a top goalkeeper but over the next two years I definitely think he’ll try and seize his opportunity with both hands.

"He’s an outstanding presence and has a big presence for us in goal – he’s a strong character but quite humble and down to earth and a very keen learner.

"He’s even asked me to help him with some of the English goalkeeping terminology that we use so that he can get used to what the players might be saying – things like ‘keepers’ ball’ or ‘man on’, things like that to get used to it.

"I told him he needs to work on his scouse because that needs some work! In terms of his profile, he’s an outstanding goalkeeper and he’s improving all the time.

“Some clubs from further afield were looking at him over the summer and said that the way modern teams play in playing out from the back might need some small improvements but he’s made great strides there.

"That’s the only small bit in his game – I wouldn’t say it’s a weakness because he can already do it very well – but some keepers are more adept at doing it than others.

It ended Real Madrid's 17-year dominance in the fixture

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It ended Real Madrid's 17-year dominance in the fixtureCredit: Getty

"His first quality is that he’s a goalkeeper who commands the box well and comes for crosses well and he’s an outstanding shot-stopper, has a big vocal presence and is very athletic.

"He has all the qualities of an outstanding goalkeeper and I think Liverpool will be great for him because he’ll have chance to take his game to the next level.

"He wants to be one of the world’s best in years to come and he knows he’s got work to do and has a real appetite to learn.”

And Real will be hoping not to come up against another inspired goalkeeper on Tuesday night as Arsenal star David Raya looks to keep a sixth clean sheet in the Champions League this term.

Though Los Blancos will be boosted by having Kylian Mbappe, Vini Jr, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Ceballos available, the Gunners will be hoping that they can pull off a similar display against Real Madrid to aid their hopes of winning silverware this term.

The Spanish giants had been sweating on the availability of the quartet, but it has now been confirmed all four key Los Blancos stars will be available against the Gunners.

'The simple thing' - McManaman gives Alexander-Arnold one piece of advice ahead of Real Madrid move

UEFA launched an investigation into the Real foursome's alleged 'indecent conduct' during their last-16 win over arch rivals Atletico Madrid.

However UEFA have decided not to issue any of the quartet with an immediate ban.

The first leg of the Champions League tie takes place on April 8 at the Emirates Stadium, with the second leg taking place at the Bernabeu on April 16.

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