Liverpool’s Woodman on life as third-choice keeper

Freddie Woodman returned to the Premier League stage for the first time since 2021 on Sunday. ‘Did I ever think I’d be playing for Liverpool in the top flight? Not really, but when my moment came, I focused on giving my best performance,’ he reflected. This season’s debut followed a period where he was sidelined with injury for Preston North End during their close escape from Championship relegation last year.

A year later, Woodman found himself thrust into a pivotal Merseyside derby after Giorgi Mamardashvili was injured during Liverpool’s win over Everton. The 29-year-old, who joined the Reds as a third-choice goalkeeper on a free transfer last summer, had not seen top-flight action since 2021. His previous stint at Newcastle included four Premier League matches across eight years, though he was frequently loaned out to six different clubs before moving to Preston in 2022.

Adjusting to a new role

Woodman made 138 appearances for Preston over three seasons before leaving at the end of his contract. Now at Liverpool, he’s adapting to a more limited role as a backup. ‘Being third-choice is challenging,’ Woodman said. ‘I am new to this position. When the chance arose, I was a bit uncertain, but I’ve been learning on the job. I quickly understood that my playing time would be short, often just 10 to 20 minutes, and I wanted to be ready for those moments.’

‘You know, Mo Salah coming to you and asking for extra practice is every kid’s dream… I saw these guys last season as superstars, but now I realize they’re just normal blokes who are great people. It’s been great to build those relationships.’

Woodman emphasized the importance of his role, noting that it requires more than just goalkeeping skills. ‘It’s about supporting the team in different ways,’ he added. ‘Whether Dom wants to work on free-kicks or Mo needs extra shooting, I’m there to help. That’s what I’ve been focusing on during these eight months of training.’

Slot’s recognition

After Sunday’s match, Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised Woodman’s contribution, highlighting his single save that denied Iliman Ndiaye. ‘He just said I worked all season without much credit, but I’m happy with that,’ Woodman said. ‘It was a nice moment to be acknowledged, especially after I felt like I’d done my best.’

With Alisson still out due to a hamstring injury and Mamardashvili facing time on the sidelines, Woodman is poised to face his boyhood club Crystal Palace at Anfield this weekend. ‘It would be unreal to get another Premier League game for Liverpool,’ he said. ‘I grew up supporting Palace, even played against them in the Carabao Cup this season. I want Giorgi and Alisson to return fit, but I’ll prepare as if I’m playing.’

A family milestone

Woodman’s debut coincided with a historic moment for his family. His father, Andy—a former goalkeeper now managing Bromley—celebrated the club’s promotion to League One for the first time in history on Saturday. ‘It was a good weekend for the family,’ Woodman said. ‘I was enjoying the derby at the new stadium, then chucked into the action. The nerves were there, but they pushed me to perform.’

Reflecting on the experience, Woodman described it as a mix of nerves and pride. ‘You come on and think about the eight months of hard work leading to this one moment,’ he said. ‘When you’re called upon, you just want to be reliable. That’s what it feels like, and honestly, I was happy to get over the line.’

What’s next?

As the team looks ahead to their next match, Woodman remains focused on the task at hand. ‘We’ll see what happens on Saturday,’ he said. ‘I’ll go about my stuff this week and be ready for whatever comes next.’ The upcoming game could be the start of a busy summer for the Reds, but Woodman is determined to make the most of his opportunity.

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