Man of the Match: Anfield has a new hero after Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace

Man of the Match: Anfield has a new hero after Liverpool’s win over Crystal Palace

Liverpool 3 – 1 Crystal Palace – Premier League Man of the Match

Freddie Woodman – Liverpool FC

There are moments in a season where opportunity presents itself without warning — and what follows defines a player. For Freddie Woodman, this was that moment.

With Giorgi Mamardashvili staking his claim in recent weeks and Alisson Becker available once again, the decision to start Woodman raised eyebrows. By full-time, it felt inspired.

The former England youth international delivered a performance that demanded recognition. From the opening exchanges, he was alert, commanding, and—most importantly—decisive. Crystal Palace controlled large spells of the first half, probing and testing a Liverpool side still struggling for consistency, but Woodman stood firm.

His shot-stopping was not just reactive, it was proactive. Positioning, timing, and composure all aligned. One particular save in the first half proved pivotal—not just in preserving parity, but in shaping the game itself. From that intervention came the transition that ultimately led to Andy Robertson opening the scoring.

That is the mark of influence.

He wasn’t just preventing goals—he was initiating momentum.

The only blemish on his evening came under unfortunate circumstances. As Palace pulled one back, Woodman was down injured, unable to intervene. It was a moment that said more about his commitment than any technical detail. He had already put his body on the line, and that effort should not be overlooked.