Liverpool could debut a goalkeeper against Crystal Palace.placeholder image
Liverpool could debut a goalkeeper against Crystal Palace. | Getty Images
Crystal Palace could be trying to put the ball past an Eagles fan at Anfield tonight.
The 28-year-old joined the Merseyside outfit on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Championship outfit Preston North End in a head-turning move. Woodman only has four Premier League appearances to his name, for Newcastle in 2021, and conceded 12 in those matches.
He has spent the majority of his career in the Championship, making 215 appearances in the second tier. Woodman has represented Swansea City, Kilmarnock and Crawley Town, as well as Preston North End.
Liverpool star set for debut against Crystal Palace
The shot-stopper played 138 times for the Lilywhites and was hailed as ‘fantastic’ by former boss Ryan Lowe during the 2022/23 campaign. Woodman has eight Carabao Cup appearances to his name and is expected to be handed his Liverpool debut tonight.
Giorgi Mamardashvili is currently first choice between the sticks due to an injury to Alisson Becker and the Reds usually deploy their second choice in cup matches. A Woodman debut is of particular interest to Crystal Palace as he is an Eagles fan.
Speaking to the Liverpool club website, Woodman said: “I got into football quite late really in terms of the playing side of things. Obviously I watched my dad [former professional goalkeeper Andy] growing up but I just played a little bit here and there. It was completely random how it happened for me, really. I was at secondary school and we used to rotate the team around.
Freddie Woodman on love for Crystal Palace
“It was my turn to go in goal one day and I had a teacher at the time, Mr Bruce, who was a coach for Crystal Palace. After the session, he came up to me and said he wanted me to go down to Crystal Palace Park, where the academy set-up was based, that evening and take a trial. And that’s where it all started for me.
“I used to go down to Selhurst with my grandad as he had a season ticket down there. I was a ballboy a few times and also a mascot and I just used to love it. Being a south London lad, being a Crystal Palace fan was just born into me really.”
On potentially making his Liverpool debut tonight, he added: “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.
“It’s clear that this club takes the competition seriously, like it does every competition. When you get to the latter stages, you go to Wembley and you see how important it is to the fans.”
In other news, 'They can't change' - Oliver Glasner makes Liverpool blueprint claim and hints at two Crystal Palace starters.
Continue Reading