Liverpool keeper fined for using phone on motorway

Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has been fined after a court heard he watched a video on his phone while driving along the M6.

The 25-year-old was pulled over after being spotted holding his phone near to the steering wheel of his Audi, Warrington Combined Court was told.

The Georgian international who signed for the Reds in 2025 was convicted of using a mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle on a road on Friday.

He was fined £440, received six penalty points on his licence and was ordered to pay £120 costs and a £176 victim surcharge.

In court, a statement from PC Ree of Cheshire Police was read out, stating that Mamardashvili had been caught at about 15:45 GMT on 27 January, on the southbound carriageway of the M6 between Junctions 23 and 21.

"Just prior to Junction 22, I was in lane three... when I passed a black Audi which was travelling in lane two," the officer said.

"Lane one was clear of traffic, meaning that the Audi should have moved over to lane one and this caught my attention.

"As I drove past the Audi, I noticed that the driver had his mobile phone in his hand, he was holding it near the centre of his steering wheel, and the driver appeared to be watching something on the screen whilst he was driving at motorway speed.

"When it was safe to do so, I stopped the vehicle on the hard shoulder and I got out to speak with the driver who was the sole occupant of the vehicle and I asked the male to sit in the rear of my police vehicle."

The court was told Mamardashvili gave his name and identified himself with a Georgian driving licence.

Footage of the footballer's police stop was also captured on the officer's bodyworn video, the court was told.

Mamardashvili has made 20 appearances this season for Liverpool, recording three clean sheets as he filled in for the injured first-choice keeper Alisson.

He did not respond to the police prosecution notice, and his case was dealt with in a private hearing of the Single Justice Procedure.

No plea was entered, and Mamardashvili was found guilty on the strength of the written police evidence.

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