Liverpool FC goalkeeper Freddie Woodman has extended his contract until 2029. He joined on a free transfer last season, serving as third-choice goalkeeper. Memorably, he had to come on during the Merseyside derby after an injury to Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Here are some quotes from his interview, specifically talking about that match too, with the club’s official media that read like he’s a really sound bloke:
Is it a feeling of pride that you’re going to stay longer with Liverpool?
Yeah, absolutely. Pride
and so many emotions, really. Last season I came in and did the role I was doing and then when I got the opportunity to play, especially the [Crystal] Palace game, it just felt like a real connection to the fans and just a massive understanding of them. Now I get the chance to stay here for longer and to be a part of it again is unbelievable, and me and my family are delighted.
Can you even begin to sum up the last year of your life?
No, not at all. Not at all. When I signed for this club, I knew my role was going to be different and I dove head-first into that. I feel like everyone around the club saw I was doing that role well. Then, when I got the chance to play, it was just unbelievable… that moment at Everton away, in the manner we won the game and being involved in it was incredible. It was a crazy season last year personally. You know, I never, ever thought I’d be able to play for Liverpool Football Club – and I got to do that and it was amazing.
Just on that, the spell in April, as you say you came on at Everton and we won the game in the 100th minute, then you play against Palace at Anfield and you even get a standing ovation from the Kop. Could those few days have gone any better for you?
No, not at all. I knew the importance of the derby. This club is amazing, it has people in the building that are Liverpool. You speak to the staff, you talk to the kitmen, they’re Liverpool through and through and they tell you how important moments are. So, coming on in that game, I knew how important the moment was. I knew that it was Robbo [Andy Robertson]’s last derby and it was Mo [Salah]’s last derby, so I knew the value of the game, and to be a part of that was insane. Then to have my moment at Anfield… it was probably up there as one of the best days of my life. I felt like in that first half the whole of the Kop were defending the goal with me and to have that connection and to get recognised after the game, it was a dream come true really for me.
You seemed to be emotional on the pitch as well when you had that moment with the Kop…
Yeah, because ultimately when you’re playing in different places and your career is… when you get injured and you have dark moments, to have that moment in front of such a famous, iconic stand and with the fan base, you just never think it was going to happen. I felt like all week building up, this club just feels like it gets behind people and going into the game I felt nervous but I felt confident [as well] because every single person who was a Liverpool fan wanted me to do well. I’ve never really experienced something like that before. So, to get that chance at the end of the game with the recognition, like I said, it was a dream come true.
Since you’ve come here, you’ve really settled into the club, settled into the training ground and you’ve made some really good friends here. What’s it like coming in every day and having relationships like that with people you call mates?
It’s the best job in the world. You get to come into AXA and I’ve managed to create some really amazing relationships with so many players. I’ve got people like Curtis [Jones], Conor [Bradley], Joe Gomez, Cody [Gakpo], Robbo… they helped me settle into the club really well. That is massive. You’re coming into a changing room full of superstars, it was a big change, but those guys helped me settle so well. I just came in, tried to be myself and I think people appreciated that. They appreciated that I just wanted to come in and work as hard as I can. Hopefully I’ve built relationships beyond this club and friendships that will stay the distance.
He’s a professional, gives great vibes all around, and stays ready. That’s really everything you want from a third-choice keeper. Well done, Freddie.
