Freddie Woodman has unique Crystal Palace connection as Liverpool call on him

The goalkeeper might be in line to make his first Premier League start for Liverpool and just appearance, and he couldn't have picked a better opposition to come up against

Freddie Woodman has a real connection to Crystal Palace ahead of potentially playing the Eagles this weekend(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool goalkeeper Freddie Woodman could be in line for a special afternoon when the Reds host Crystal Palace on Saturday.

With Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili injured, the 29-year-old is expected to make his first Premier League start for Liverpool after joining last summer on a free transfer from Preston.

While Woodman started four Premier League matches for Newcastle in 2021, being selected at Anfield alongside the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will be an unforgettable experience. But the opposition will also play a more than significant part on Saturday. The stopper grew up in Croydon and was a ball boy at Selhurst Park as a youth.

Woodman came through the ranks at Palace, his boyhood club, as did his father, Andy, who last week guided Bromley to promotion to League One. He also worked at the Eagles as a goalkeeper coach.

The connection doesn’t stop there. Woodman’s godfather is Gareth Southgate, a Palace legend, while Liverpool’s third-choice keeper made his debut against the London club in October, when the Reds lost 3-0 in the Carabao Cup.

So, it would be a special day for the Woodman family if Liverpool’s No. 28 can feature in Saturday’s encounter at Anfield.

Freddie Woodman said he was nervous to make his Premier League debut(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)

“It would be unreal, incredible, to get another game in the Premier League and for Liverpool,” Woodman said after coming off the bench in last week’s win over Everton.

"I grew up supporting Palace, I was a ballboy and played against them in the Carabao Cup."

He added: "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.”

Woodman was introduced in the 58th minute of the Merseyside derby and was rarely tested by Everton, with his biggest involvement coming when he dealt with an awkward bouncing ball that he first headed and then cleared.

Mamardashvili is expected to miss this weekend’s game, while Arne Slot confirmed Alisson may recover in time, but he remains a huge doubt.

“Did I ever think I was going to be playing for Liverpool in the Premier League? Probably not, but when I was called upon I just wanted to do my best,” Woodman added after the Everton win.

“It was 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. I was just happy to get over the line, but then to win it the way we did was incredible.”