Freddie Woodman, a name that might not immediately ring a bell for casual football fans, is on the cusp of a potentially memorable Liverpool debut. The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who arrived at Anfield on a free transfer this summer after his contract with Preston North End expired, is in line to make his first appearance for the Reds in the Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Crystal Palace.
Woodman's journey to Liverpool has been an interesting one. He spent the majority of his career in the Championship, making 215 appearances in the second tier. Prior to joining Liverpool, he played for Preston North End for three seasons, making 138 appearances and earning praise from his former boss Ryan Lowe, who hailed him as 'fantastic' during the 2022/23 campaign. He also had a long stint with Newcastle United, along with loan spells at Swansea City, Kilmarnock and Crawley Town. He only has four Premier League appearances to his name, all for Newcastle in 2021, where he conceded 12 goals.
His move to Liverpool might have raised some eyebrows, but Woodman brings a wealth of experience, with 278 senior career appearances to his name. He was brought in as a homegrown squad option and provides valuable cover for the first-choice goalkeepers.
The opportunity for Woodman to make his Liverpool debut has arisen due to a combination of factors. Alisson Becker is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, making Giorgi Mamardashvili the first-choice goalkeeper. With Liverpool often using their second-choice keeper in cup games, Woodman is expected to be given the nod against Crystal Palace.
Adding another layer of intrigue to this potential debut is Woodman's personal connection to Crystal Palace. As a South London native, he grew up supporting the Eagles and even spent time as a ballboy and mascot at Selhurst Park. "Being a south London lad, being a Crystal Palace fan was just born into me really," Woodman said. He fondly recalls going to Selhurst Park with his grandfather, who had a season ticket.
Reflecting on the opportunity to play for Liverpool, Woodman told the club website, "Any time I get to pull on the jersey for this club, whether it be a pre-season game or whatever competition, I'll always just try to do my best and enjoy the moment, because I've spent a lot of time playing in the Championship and so to play for a club with this history is pretty special". He recognizes the importance of the Carabao Cup to the club and its fans, having seen the success of Caoimhin Kelleher in the competition. "You can really write yourself into history if you win trophies at this club, so I know how important it is and the club recognises how important this competition is too," he said.
While Woodman may not be a household name, his potential debut represents a significant moment in his career. It's a chance to represent a club with Liverpool's history and stature.
