Freddie Woodman is set to make his first Premier League start for Liverpool in almost five years, when the Reds face Crystal Palace on Saturday. The 29-year-old goalkeeper joined Liverpool as third-choice last summer, but will step in after Giorgi Mamardashvili picked up an injury in last Sunday's Merseyside derby.
Mamardashvili, who had been deputising for the injured Alisson, sustained a nasty cut to his leg and faces a couple of weeks on the sidelines. Woodman replaced him during the second half of the 2-1 win over Everton, and is now in line to start a Premier League match for the first time since a 4-1 defeat for Newcastle United at Old Trafford in 2020.
“It would be unreal, incredible, to get another game in the Premier League and for Liverpool,” said Woodman. He admitted to feeling nervous but said that nerves fuel his performance. “I am nervous for every game... nerves fuel me and if I didn’t have them I would be a little bit worried,” he said.
Woodman, who grew up supporting Palace and was a ball-boy at the club, has built relationships with Liverpool's stars, including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. “I saw these guys last season as superstars. And you come in and realise they're just normal blokes and good people,” he added.
The derby victory capped a good weekend for the Woodman family: his father Andy manages Bromley, who were promoted to League One. Woodman now faces the club where his journey began, and said he just wants to do his best when called upon.
