Freddie Woodman found his enjoyment of the Merseyside derby abruptly interrupted by an unexpected Premier League debut for Liverpool, capping a remarkable 24 hours for his family.
The 29-year-old’s appearance in Sunday’s last-gasp 2-1 victory against Everton, followed a day of celebration for his family, as his father Andy’s team, Bromley, clinched promotion to League One on Saturday.
Woodman’s return to Premier League action, his first since four appearances for Newcastle in 2021, came under unforeseen circumstances.
His season with Preston had been prematurely ended by injury a year earlier, and he admitted to initial reservations about joining Liverpool, anticipating limited opportunities behind established keepers Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
However, with Alisson still recovering from a hamstring issue and Mamardashvili stretchered off after conceding the equaliser, Woodman was thrust into the spotlight.
“I was actually enjoying this Merseyside derby at the new (Hill Dickinson) stadium and then I was chucked into it at the deep end, so it was a good weekend for the family,” Woodman remarked, reflecting on his only previous Liverpool appearance in October’s Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
He confessed to the surprise of the moment: “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.”
Woodman acknowledged the pressure, adding, “it’s a little nerve-racking 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.”
After a career that included numerous loan spells at clubs such as Crawley, Kilmarnock, Aberdeen, Swansea, and Bournemouth, Woodman had found a long-term home at Deepdale, making nearly 140 appearances.
Despite finishing last season injured with his contract expiring, he harboured doubts about signing for Liverpool.
“It’s tough. I am new to this role. When the opportunity came along I was a bit unsure whether to do it and as a third choice I am still learning on the job,” he explained.
“I quickly realised my game time is going to be limited and I would probably be called upon for 10, 20 minutes, and when that time comes, I just wanted to be prepared.”
Woodman has embraced the often-overlooked importance of a third-choice goalkeeper.
“Being third choice is, from what I’ve seen, 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 (Mohamed Salah) 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.”
Given the nature of his role, Woodman could find himself back on the bench for Saturday’s visit of Crystal Palace, the club he joined as a 14-year-old, should Mamardashvili recover from his gashed knee.
“It would be unreal, incredible, to get another game in the Premier League and for Liverpool. I grew up supporting Palace, I was a ball boy and played against them in the Carabao Cup,” he said.
Despite the personal opportunity, Woodman maintains a professional outlook: “I want Giorgi to be fine and then Ali, the best goalkeeper in the world, I want him to come back fit. I will just go about my stuff this week and prepare as if I am playing.”
