2 days ago
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Liverpool has provided a hint about one player who could start in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace.
With the Reds currently involved in a run of seven matches in 22 days, which includes games against Manchester United, Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City, Arne Slot is expected to rotate his squad for the midweek match at home to the Eagles.
The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai are likely to be given a night off, and Slot will probably name a weakened side for the match against the Eagles. Reports have even suggested Calvin Ramsay could even be in line to make a first Liverpool appearance since November 2022.
The club appears to have already hinted that one fringe member of the squad is line to make his Liverpool debut.
Freddie Woodman joined in the summer from Preston North End and was one of three goalkeepers to sign, along with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Armin Pesci.
With Alisson injured, Mamardashvili has deputized in the last three Premier League matches, and Woodman is expected to he handed a rare opportunity to play in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
That he has conducted a pre-match interview with the matchday program also provides a major hint he is line to play against Palace.
“Any time I get to pull on the jersey for this club, whether it be a pre-season game or whatever competition, I’ll always just try to do my best and enjoy the moment, because I’ve spent a lot of time playing in the Championship and so to play for a club with this history is pretty special,” said the 28-year-old.
“It’s clear that this club takes the competition seriously, like it does every competition. When you get to the latter stages, you go to Wembley and you see how important it is to the fans.
“We train in the goalkeeping area at the AXA Training Centre and I regularly see the photo of Caoimhin Kelleher on the wall after his success in the recent finals, and that’s how important it is.
“You can really write yourself into history if you win trophies at this club, so I know how important it is and the club recognises how important this competition is too.”
It is set to be a special night for Woodman, who began his career at Palace and used to support the club as a youngster.
“I used to go down to Selhurst with my grandad as he had a season ticket down there. I was a ballboy a few times and also a mascot and I just used to love it,” explained the goalkeeper.
“Being a south London lad, being a Crystal Palace fan was just born into me really.”
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