Freddie Woodman ready to swim after being ‘chucked into deep end’ at Liverpool

It was a weekend the Woodman family will never forget. On Saturday, Andy celebrated his second promotion in three seasons as manager of Bromley, taking the club into League One for the first time in their history, and on Sunday his son Freddie made his Premier League debut for Liverpool in their historic win at Hill Dickinson Stadium. And dad and lad may not be done yet.

Liverpool’s season had been bereft of “big moments” – to use Arne Slot’s description – until Virgil van Dijk scoreda 100th-minute winner that clinched victory in the first Merseyside derby at Everton’s new stadium. That big moment may not be surpassed for Liverpool this season and also rewarded Freddie Woodman’s decision to become their third-choice goalkeeper when his contract with Preston expired last summer. A 58th-minute replacement for the injured Giorgi Mamardashvili, the 29-year-old played his part as Liverpool tormented their local rivals yet again and closed in on Champions League qualification in the process.

Only one moment could possibly rival a Liverpool league debut in those circumstances for a Croydon-born keeper who was both a mascot and a ball boy for Crystal Palace, and who started his career in Palace’s youth academy. And, indeed, a full Premier League debut for Liverpool against Palace at Anfield beckons for Woodman on Saturday with Mamardashvili expected to be sidelined with a knee injury and Alisson unlikely to return from a hamstring problem until Liverpool visit Manchester United on 3 May.

“It would be unreal, incredible, to get another game in the Premier League and for Liverpool,” Woodman says. “I grew up supporting Palace, I was a ball boy and played against them in the Carabao Cup [when Palace won 3-0 at Anfield in October]. I want Giorgi to be fine and then Ali, the best goalkeeper in the world, to come back fit. We will see what happens on Saturday. I will just go about my stuff this week and prepare as if I am playing.”

The routine of training with little prospect of playing at the end of the week can be difficult for a third-choice keeper, and especially for one who is unaccustomed to the role. Woodman was first choice for three seasons at Preston and two seasons on loan at Swansea before moving to Deepdale. Sitting on the bench after five years of regular Championship football has required a change in mindset.

“It’s tough,” Woodman admits. “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. I quickly realised that 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 can rely on all the preparation that you’ve done, and that’s what I tried to do.”