Liverpool made a shock transfer to usher in goalkeeper Freddie Woodman as third-choice goalkeeper this summer season.
The Reds have overseen an overhaul of their goalkeeping division this summer season with Alisson to now work alongside Giorgi Mamardashvili and Woodman as an alternative of Caoimhin Kelleher and Vitezslav Jaros.
The 28-year-old arrives on a free switch from Championship facet Preston, the place he was first-choice for 3 years earlier than the Reds swooped for his signature.
• READ: LFC’s new goalkeeper was first linked to switch NINE years in the past
Woodman is a participant few of us know a lot about, so we spoke to George Hodgson (@GHodgsonSport), Preston reporter for the Lancashire Publish, about what we are able to anticipate from the 28-year-old.
Hodgson’s perception supplies, greater than something, testomony to the character of why Liverpool view Woodman as a really perfect third-choice goalkeeper, bringing a constructive vitality to the day-to-day on the coaching floor.
This one took us abruptly; from a Preston perspective was it a shock for you that Woodman signed for Liverpool?
Sure, within the sense there had been no hypothesis round it. But in addition no, as Woodman was strongly linked with Manchester United, which seemed he was exploring and open to this kind of position.
He’s solely 28 although and I assumed he could also be eager to maintain enjoying week-in-week-out.
He was first alternative at Deepdale and Paul Heckingbottom appeared to love him; was he supplied a brand new contract?
I don’t consider so, nevertheless it all appeared to finish on amicable phrases.
Woodman was Preston’s primary for his three years at Deepdale and shared a reasonably stylish message upon exit.
Heckingbottom had spoken quite a bit about ‘creating price range’ and doubtlessly having to let folks go to be able to make needed modifications.
What model of goalkeeper is he? His strengths and weaknesses?
Woodman has first rate pedigree having come by way of the England youth groups and Newcastle. He’s extra of a ‘Regular Eddie’ than a goalkeeper with one main power i.e. distribution.
He may command his field and take cost higher; a number of poor targets went in final season, however confidence could have been an element there. When he’s on kind Woodman is able to good reflex saves.
What about his character as an individual? He’s unlikely to play a lot and for a ‘coaching ‘keeper’ their character is nearly extra necessary than capability…
He’s lively and has the reward of the gab. I’m positive he’ll prepare onerous each single day and be a bubbly presence in and across the place.
I might guess Woodman might be prepared for a brand new surroundings and can subsequently convey a constructive vitality to the group.
Is there anything we should always know?
You will have this lined however Gareth Southgate is his godfather, his dad is supervisor of Bromley and he’s a giant Crystal Palace fan.
I recall Woodman saying he’s good buddies with James Maddison and Ben Chilwell as nicely. He made a record-breaking begin to his time at PNE, conserving seven consecutive clear sheets.
