Key Takeaways
- Freddie Woodman, 29, replaced the injured Giorgi Mamardashvili and kept a clean sheet as Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 in stoppage time.
- The keeper may now face boyhood club Crystal Palace on Saturday with both senior keepers still injured.
- Woodman’s father, Andy, celebrated guiding Bromley to League One on the same weekend.
Freddie Woodman’s phone buzzed non-stop after Sunday’s Merseyside derby. The 29-year-old had just helped Liverpool win 1-0 at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, their first league victory there, and supporters wanted to thank him.
Woodman was never meant to play. He signed last July as third-choice keeper after leaving Preston North End, expecting only cup minutes. Yet when Giorgi Mamardashvili hurt his knee just before the hour, the Englishman was told to warm up.
“I was thrown straight in,” Woodman smiled. “The crowd were loud, the game was open, but the lads made my job easier.” Virgil van Dijk’s header in the 100th minute sent the away end wild and moved Liverpool four points clear in the race for Champions League football.
Now Woodman could start against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday. Alisson is still nursing a hamstring and Mamardashvili’s scan is being reviewed. For a boy who grew up in Croydon, served as Palace mascot and ballboy, and began his career in their academy, it will be a special moment.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited,” he admitted. “But I also wish Giorgi and Ali a quick recovery. I’ll train hard and wait for the gaffer’s decision.”
Adjusting to life as third keeper has been the hardest part. After five years of starting every week at Preston and Swansea, Woodman had to learn patience. “You prepare for ten frantic minutes, not ninety,” he explained. “Every drill is about staying sharp for that one call.”
While Freddie waited on Merseyside, his father Andy was busy making history. The former Newcastle and West Ham goalkeeping coach has taken Bromley from National League mid-table to back-to-back promotions. A win against Salford on Thursday could seal the League Two title.
“Dad texted me straight after their game,” Woodman laughed. “He’s living the dream too. Two promotions in three years is incredible. We’re both riding high.”
If Woodman keeps his place against Palace, another clean sheet would edge Liverpool closer to Europe and complete a remarkable week for the Woodman family.
