Freddie Woodman eyes ‘unreal’ Liverpool start against boyhood club Crystal Palace

Liverpool goalkeeper could make first Premier League start against team he supported growing up
Came off bench in Merseyside derby win after injuries to Alisson and Mamardashvili
Third-choice stopper embracing role and staying ready for unexpected opportunities

There is something quietly compelling about Freddie Woodman this week. Not a headline name, not one expected to shape Liverpool’s season, but suddenly very much part of it.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper could be in line for his first Premier League start for Liverpool against Crystal Palace. The detail that matters is that Palace were his club growing up. That sort of thing still counts for something.

Woodman was thrown in at a delicate moment against Everton on Sunday. Giorgi Mamardashvili went off injured, Alisson Becker was already unavailable, and suddenly the third-choice keeper was in.

He did what was required. No fuss. No drama. Liverpool won late, and he walked off to warm applause from the away end. It meant something.

“It’s a little nerve-racking,” he admitted. Honest enough. But there was also a sense of perspective. Eight months of training for a moment that might last 10 minutes. That is the job.

Woodman’s route here has not been glamorous. Starting at Newcastle United, moving through loans, building a career at Preston, then taking a different role at Liverpool. Third choice, limited minutes, but part of the group.

And that matters more than many realise. He spoke about staying behind for extra work, helping Mohamed Salah with finishing drills, offering himself for anything extra. It is a different kind of contribution, but a real one.

Now there is a chance of something more visible. Palace at the weekend. A club he once supported, a stadium he knows, a stage he has had to wait for.

“It would be unreal,” he said. And he meant it.

Nothing is guaranteed. Injuries will dictate the decision. But Woodman will prepare as if he is playing. That, after all, has been his approach all season.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.