Freddie Woodman spoke to the media after he came off the bench to emerge an unlikely Liverpool hero in Sunday's dramatic Merseyside derby win at Everton
Freddie Woodman of Liverpool salutes the supporters at full-time following the Premier League win against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19 2026
Freddie Woodman of Liverpool salutes the supporters at full-time following the Premier League win against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on April 19 2026(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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The Merseyside derby has long had a history of throwing up unlikely heroes. Few sights, though, have surely been quite as surprising as Freddie Woodman taking the salute of the jubilant away end at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
As Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper, it required first the ongoing hamstring injury of Alisson Becker and then the nasty gash sustained by Giorgi Mamardashvili for Woodman to be thrust into the fervour of the 248th meeting between the cross-city neighbours.
A first Premier League outing since 2021, it was only Woodman's second appearance for Liverpool since his free transfer arrival from Preston North End last summer.
For the much-travelled 29-year-old, being asked by Mohamed Salah if he could stay behind for extra shooting practice after training had already been proof of living out a childhood fantasy.
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But sharing the field with the Egyptian King and keeping a clean sheet in helping the Reds win the first derby at Everton's sparkling new home elevated a surreal season to new heights.
"You know, Mo Salah is coming to you and saying he wants to do extra shooting, it's every kid's dream," said Woodman.
"For me, I've watched him over the last seven to eight years and to build a relationship with Robbo (Andy Robertson), Curtis (Jones), Cody (Gakpo), Virgil (van Dijk)... I saw these guys last season as superstars.
"And you come in and you realise that they're just normal blokes and they're good people and it's been really nice to build those relationships. It's easy here."
When it became apparent Mamardashvili wouldn't be able to continue after being injured in the process of attempting to prevent Beto equalising Salah's first-half opener shortly before the hour, reality soon dawned on Woodman.
"It's a little nerve-wracking, to be honest," he said. "But I think the nerves sort of fuel you to want to do well and not to let people down.
"You come on and you think about the eight months that have gone past where you've worked every day really for this one moment. When you're called upon, you just want to be reliable. That's what it feels like and, to be honest, I was just happy to have to get over the line but then to win it the way we did was incredible.
"Did I ever think I was going to be playing for Liverpool in the Premier League? Probably not, but, you know, when I'm called upon, I just wanted to do my best."
A solid Liverpool defensive performance ensured Woodman was rarely required, save for dealing with two dangerous bouncing balls one of which saw him leave his area and avoid a potential collision with Virgil van Dijk before coolly heading the ball and playing a pass out wide.
It was then left to Reds skipper Van Dijk to nod in a dramatic winner in the 10th minute of additional time to strengthen Liverpool's chances of Champions League qualification.
"Oh, I was just right behind it," said Woodman of the goal. "I didn't want to celebrate, to be honest, because I knew there was still a minute left and I actually watched the Tottenham game and saw the celebrations after Xavi Simons scored. I thought probably best not to.
"I just wanted to get the final whistle out of the way!"
Afterwards, cameras in the dressing room spotted Liverpool boss Arne Slot congratulating Woodman, who revealed: "He just said that I just worked all season without getting, you know, a lot of credit. But I'm happy with that.
"He was just happy for me and for me to shake his hand after the game, realising I felt like I'd done the best I can, is a nice moment because obviously he brought me to this football club."
With almost 300 career outings under his belt, Woodman this season has had to adjust from being a regular starter in the Championship to often not even making the bench as third-choice goalkeeper.
"It's tough," he admitted. "I am new to this role. When the opportunity came along (from Liverpool) I was a bit unsure whether to do it and as a third-choice I am still learning on the job.
"I quickly realised that obviously my game time is going to be limited and that I would probably be called upon for 10, 20 minutes, and when that time comes, I just wanted to be prepared.
"And so the eight months where I'm training, I'm just thinking about those 10 minutes, those 20 minutes where you are nervous, but you can rely on all the preparation that you've done, and that's what I tried to do, really.
"Being third choice is more important than what I thought coming in. You are trying to have a relationship with the lads, so like if Dom (Szoboszlai) wants to do extra free-kicks, I want to be there to help him. If Mo wants to do extra shooting, I want to be there to help him.
"So it's just trying to find a different role within the team and realising how important it is."
For his team-mates, the value of Woodman is beyond dispute. “He is a great character, he is a big part of our group," said Van Dijk. "It is never easy to be a third goalie but for him to experience the things he experienced this season and still be so positive and working so hard – setting the right example each and every day – and getting on the pitch in the first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson and show that calmness, made a great save, I’m pleased for him.
"Hopefully Giorgi will be okay because we need everyone but if not then Freddie has to step up. And behind him we have a very promising goalkeeper as well in Armin (Pecsi) who has done very well too."
It was a good weekend for the Woodman family, with his father Andy having guided Bromley to promotion from League Two.
"He used to call me when I played - now he doesn’t speak to me!" laughed the goalkeeper. "No, I spoke to him on Saturday night and he was celebrating a promotion.
"I just got my head down and prepared for this game as I do every game, which is as if I am playing. I was actually enjoying this Merseyside derby at the new stadium and then I was chucked into it, at the deep end, so it was a good weekend for the family."
With Mamardashvili likely to be out for several weeks and Alisson not expected to be back until the trip to Manchester United on Sunday week, Woodman - who has another year left on his contract - is now poised to start Saturday's Premier League visit of former club Crystal Palace, against whom his only other Liverpool appearance had come in the home League Cup defeat in October.
"It would be unreal, incredible, to get another game in the Premier League and for Liverpool," he said. "I grew up supporting Palace, I was a ball-boy and played against them in the Carabao Cup (this season).
"Hopefully, I want Giorgi to be fine and then Ali, the best goalkeeper in the world, I want him to come back fit. Listen, we will see what happens on Saturday. I will just go about my stuff this week and prepare as if I am playing."