Liverpool drop major team news hint ahead of Crystal Palace Carabao Cup showdown

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Evening Standard

·28 October 2025

Liverpool drop major team news hint ahead of Crystal Palace Carabao Cup showdown

Slot is expected to ring the changes as Liverpool host Palace in the Carabao Cup

Liverpool may have dropped a clear indication that Freddie Woodman will make his competitive debut against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

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Woodman joined the Reds on a free transfer during the summer after his contract with Preston had expired following three seasons with the Championship outfit.

The 28-year-old was one of three goalkeepers to arrive on Merseyside in the summer, along with Giorgi Mamardashvili and youngster Armin Pecsi.

So far, Woodman has slotted into his role as the third-choice stopper. However, with Alisson Becker currently sidelined through injury, the goalkeeping pecking order at Liverpool has altered in recent weeks.

As a result, Woodman has moved one step closer to making his Liverpool bow on Wednesday night with Mamardashvili likely to be rested for the visit of Palace.

While Reds head coach Arne Slot will not be holding a pre-match press conference to provide an update on team news, Woodman’s interview for the official matchday programme suggests he is set to start.

“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,” he said when asked about the possibility of getting his chance in the Carabao Cup fourth round tie.

“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.”

Freddie Woodman has been an unused substitute in Liverpool’s last five games

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If Woodman does get the nod to start in goal at Anfield, he will be making his Liverpool debut against the team he supported growing up.

“I used to go down to Selhurst with my grandad as he had a season ticket down there,” he added. “I was a ballboy a few times and also a mascot and I just used to love it.

“Being a south London lad, being a Crystal Palace fan was just born into me really.”