Freddie Woodman was brought to Liverpool as a third-choice keeper but is expected to start for Arne Slott’s side in the Premier League against Crystal Palace.
Freddie Woodman set to start in the Premier League for the first time in five years (Image: Getty Images)
It took Freddie Woodman a while to understand that the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were “just normal guys”. Fortunately, the 29-year-old goalkeeper has moved on from his hero-worship phase.
That makes sense, as Woodman is set to make his first Premier League start for Liverpool alongside Salah and Van Dijk against Crystal Palace on Saturday. That’s impossible.
Woodman moved to Anfield as a third-choice keeper when his contract with Preston ended last summer. However, he will join Arne Slott’s squad this weekend, replacing Giorgi Mamadashvili in the second half of last Sunday’s Merseyside derby.
read more: Liverpool news: £36m star set to sign on the dotted line as Arne Slott gets transfer updateread more: Jamie Carragher talks about what he’s heard about Arne Slott’s future at Liverpool
The Georgian, who is filling in for the injured Alisson, has suffered a severe cut on his foot and will be sidelined for several weeks. This means Woodman will be starting a Premier League game for the first time in four years and seven months.
“It would be surreal and unbelievable to be playing again in the Premier League and for Liverpool,” said Woodman, who has become a popular figure on the training ground. “Here it’s easy. Mo Salah comes to you and says he wants to take an extra shot. That’s every child’s dream.
“I’ve watched him over the last seven, eight years, and to build relationships with Robbo (Andy Robertson), Curtis (Jones), Cody (Gakpo), Virgil (van Dijk)…last season, I watched them as superstars. And then to come here and realize that they’re just regular guys and good people and to build those relationships was really good.”
Giorgi Mamadashvili is injured in a collision with Beto as the striker scores Everton’s goal in the Merseyside derby (Image: Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)
Woodman last started in the Premier League against Newcastle United at Old Trafford, where he didn’t have his best game in a 4-1 defeat. And Woodman admits he can get pretty nervous before a big match.
“To be honest, I’m a little nervous, but I think that nervousness makes you want to do well and not really let people down. You just want to be reliable when called upon,” he said.
“I’m nervous in every game, whether it’s playing Preston or Swansea. Like I said, nervousness gives me energy and if I didn’t have nervousness I’d be a little worried.
“They were on a bit of a roll heading into the Merseyside derby, but I just wanted to go out there and be reliable for the players and supporters and not let anyone down. I was just happy to get over the line, but then to win the way we did was unbelievable.”
Alisson has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury against Galatasaray a month ago (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The derby win capped off a good weekend for the Woodman family. Freddie’s father Andy manages Bromley, who were promoted to League One last Saturday. It should be another special weekend for Woodman as he faces the club where it all started for him.
“I grew up supporting Palace. I was a ball boy and played against them in the Carabao Cup (this season).
“Did you ever think you’d end up playing for Liverpool in the Premier League? Probably not, but you know, if I get called up, I’ll do my best.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+ and Ultimate TV packages
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundles to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, plus 135 channels and complete coverage of the Premier League and EFL from Sky.
Sky has over 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more, with at least 215 of them live from the top flight, along with F1, darts and golf.
