Liverpool head coach Arne Slot appeared to single out one Reds star following their last-gasp victory against Everton.
On Sunday (April 19), the first Merseyside derby at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium ended in dramatic fashion, with Virgil van Dijk’s 100th-minute header securing a 2–1 win for the away side.
In his final match against Everton, Mohamed Salah swept home a pinpoint pass from Cody Gakpo on the half-hour mark, which came just minutes after Iliman Ndiaye had the ball in the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside against Jake O’Brien in the build-up.
David Moyes’ side were level on 54 minutes when Beto finished Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s cut-back, injuring stand-in goalkeeper Giorgio Mamardashvili, who had to be stretchered off.
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The Georgian was replaced by summer signing Freddie Woodman, with the Englishman coming on to make his first Premier League appearance since the 2021/22 season and only his second appearance for Liverpool since signing.
The 29-year-old dealt with everything Everton had to offer and looked assured between the sticks, not allowing the occasion to impact his performance in a negative manner.
Following the match, dressing room footage was broadcast by Sky Sports, which appeared to show Slot addressing Woodman in front of the rest of the Liverpool squad before he was applauded by his team-mates.
Speaking after the game, the Dutchman was quick to praise the third-choice goalkeeper.
“Freddie did a great job,” he said. “Giorgi had to go to hospital, a big wound, so let’s see how he will be.
“But Freddie deserves a lot of credit, because if you have to come in after conceding the 1-1 and the fans were ready for it, but he did his job really well, kept his calm in a difficult moment where he was doubting if he should catch the ball, yes or no, and he kept his nerve and worked so hard to have this moment.
“Usually third goalkeepers don’t play a lot, but in a season like ours I think if you are playing at the moment in the U8s of Liverpool you should be ready to make your debut because it’s unbelievable what’s happening to us!”
Liverpool return to action against Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 25.
Topics: Arne Slot, Premier League, Football
Luke Davies