Alisson has been firmly established as the Reds’ first-choice stopper since he signed in 2018 and is heading into the eighth season of a trophy-laden, already-legendary Liverpool career.
Dudek has experience of being both a ‘number one’ and ‘number two’ and detailed how the dynamics must work in order for the ‘keepers in question to contribute to the success of their club.
He explained: “I was really confident when I knew I was the number one. I was good when we had a good relationship but knew our roles as number one and number two.
“I had that when I came to Liverpool and also at Feyenoord, and then when I went to Real Madrid [in 2007] they told me too, but that time they told me I would be the number two so I knew my role was to prepare Iker [Casillas] and bring him in the best shape for the games. I accepted it and I did it.
“The best situation is when both goalkeepers grow upwards. So, If Alisson is on the highest level possible, it is important for Mamardashvili to go to that level, not bring Alisson down a level.
“As goalkeepers you both need to work to go up because that is important for the team’s success in the season and if you win the league or the Champions League, the level of satisfaction for the goalkeepers will be the same. If you have confidence in your role, you perform much better.
“You want to have a nice time together but if you are in Alisson’s position, you know you need to focus. You need to prepare yourself as the number one. Mamardashvili, he knows for now that he is the number two but if you get your chance, you have to take it.
“This relationship is down to the goalkeeper coach too, in terms of how he will protect the number one and improve the number two.
“But so far, from what I have seen, the relationship between the goalkeepers here is very good and I hope it stays like that because there are so many competitions and everyone will get a chance.
“It’s not like it used to be where one goalkeeper could play 300 games in a row! It is nothing like this anymore so now you will get the chance to play.”
