Freddie Woodman could be set for a full-circle moment at the weekend, when Crystal Palace travel to Liverpool, with Woodman holding a special connection to the Eagles.
While the obvious big moment of the Merseyside Derby on Sunday was Virgil Van Dijk’s sublime last-minute winner, as he perfectly connected with Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner kick, the other headline-grabbing piece of action that took place was Freddie Woodman coming on for his long-awaited Premier League debut for the Reds.
Picked up on a free transfer from Preston North End last summer, the 29-year-old has had to be patient for his first team moment in the spotlight, and he didn’t disappoint, as a surprise stand-in for Giorgi Mamardashvili, as the Georgian was stretchered off early in the second half.
Woodman didn’t concede any goals after Beto scored just before Mamardashvili had to be taken off, with the reserve keeper now expected to be out of action for several weeks.
This means Liverpool have no choice but to stick by their unexpected Merseyside Derby hero, as Crystal Palace travel to Anfield on Saturday, as Alisson Becker is also sidelined with injury.
Weirdly, the one-time Newcastle United stopper actually shares a special connection with the Eagles, which will make his first Premier League start for Arne Slot’s men even more unique.
Woodman’s special connection to Palace
Sky Sports News has basically confirmed mid-week that Woodman is expected to start against Oliver Glasner’s side, owing to Liverpool’s ongoing difficulties in goal with injuries.
This will be an extraordinary occasion for the 29-year-old, as he lines up for his first-ever Reds start at Liverpool’s famous home ground.
Strangely, though, he has a bond with Palace that goes back to his childhood, with the 29-year-old actually on the books of the Eagles as a youngster, between 2002 and 2013.
This long-standing connection also spans back to his father, Andy, who was a keeper himself at Selhurst Park before going on to take up management with Bromley.
Even a Palace ball boy, when growing up in Croydon, this will be a poignant day for the entire Woodman family, if he were to start and excel, against his boyhood side.
Woodman touched upon his deep-rooted connections to the Eagles when speaking about the potential of starting a Premier League game for Slot and Co. right after the Merseyside Derby.
He said: “It would be unreal, incredible, to get another game in the Premier League and for Liverpool.”
“I grew up supporting Palace, I was a ballboy and played against them in the Carabao Cup.”
The potential of starting against his childhood side and impressing won’t faze Woodman one bit, though, as he is clearly a confident presence and a likeable face in the Reds dressing room.
Woodman will hope he can thrive against Palace
Noted as being “a great character and he is a big part of our group” by Van Dijk right after the dust had settled on the terrific 2-1 win, the third-choice stopper won’t be content with just making up the numbers.
Instead, he will want to play his part in Liverpool picking up back-to-back wins, with the 29-year-old noting that he will use the “nerve-racking” nature of lining up for the reigning Premier League champions to his advantage.
He said, at the close of the slim win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium: “Did I ever think I was going to be playing for Liverpool in the Premier League?
“Probably not, but when I was called upon I just wanted to do my best. It was a little nerve-racking to be honest. But I think the nerves sort of fuel you, to want to do well and not to let people down really. I was just happy to get over the line, but then to win it the way we did was incredible.”
Noted as always wanting to do his best, he will have to ensure he’s switched on from minute one against Palace, with the likes of Ismaila Sarr wanting to unsettle the Anfield masses for the South London visitors.
With talk surrounding Alisson’s future popping up, and Mamardashvili wobbling at points, the 6-foot-2 keeper really does have a great chance, now, to stake a claim for more minutes, even when the pair are back from their respective injuries.
