Unlikely star Freddie Woodman relishing first Liverpool Premier League start - 'A dream'

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It took Freddie Woodman a while to realise the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are ‘just normal blokes.’ Fortunately, the 29-year-old goalkeeper has come out of his hero-worship period.

That is just as well because Woodman will line up alongside Salah and Van Dijk against Crystal Palace on Saturday for his first Premier League start for Liverpool . It is an unlikely story.

Woodman moved to Anfield as third-choice keeper when his contract at Preston ended last summer. But he will be in Arne Slot ’s side this weekend after replacing Giorgi Mamardashvili during the second half of last Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

The Georgian, who has been deputising for the injured Alisson, sustained a nasty cut to his leg and faces a couple of weeks on the sidelines. It means Woodman will begin a Premier League match for the first time in over four years and seven months.

“It would be unreal, incredible, to get another game in the Premier League and for Liverpool,” said Woodman, who has become a popular figure on the training ground. "It's easy here. Mo Salah is coming to you and saying he wants to do extra shooting. It's every kid's dream.

“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 realise they're just normal blokes and good people and it's been really nice to build those relationships.”

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Woodman’s last Premier League start was for Newcastle United at Old Trafford, where he did not have his best game in a 4-1 defeat. And Woodman admits he can get pretty nervous ahead of a big game.

He said: “It's a little nerve-racking to be honest. But I think the nerves sort of fuel you, to want to do well and not to let people down really. When you're called upon, you just want to be reliable.

“I am nervous for every game - if I am playing for Preston, if I am playing for Swansea. Like I said, nerves fuel me and if I didn’t have them I would be a little bit worried.

"They were a little bit heightened coming into a Merseyside derby but I just wanted to go out there and be reliable for the lads and the supporters and not let anyone down. I was just happy to get over the line but then to win it the way we did was incredible.”

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That derby victory capped a good weekend for the Woodman family - Freddie’s dad, Andy, manages Bromley who were promoted to League One last Saturday. Another special weekend should be coming up as Woodman faces the club where it all started for him.

He explained: “I grow up supporting Palace. I was a ball-boy and played against them in the Carabao Cup [this season].

“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 want to do my best.”

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