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

Unlikely star Freddie Woodman relishing first Liverpool Premier League start - 'A dream'Freddie Woodman was brought to Liverpool as a third-choice keeper but is now set to start for Arne Slot's side in the Premier League against Crystal PalaceCommentsSportAndy Dunn Chief Sports Writer12:00, 21 Apr 2026Updated 12:04, 21 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesFreddie Woodman is set for his first Premier League start in almost five years(Image: Getty Images)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.‌READ MORE: Liverpool news: £36m star set to sign on dotted line as Arne Slot gets transfer updateREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher shares what he has heard about Arne Slot's Liverpool futureThe 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 sea...