Liverpool face unusual situation vs Crystal Palace after player hospitalised | Football | Sport
Liverpool back-up goalkeeper Freddie Woodman looks set to start against Crystal Palace even though Giorgi Mamardashvili has confirmed he has escaped a serious injury after being rushed to hospital during Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Everton. The Reds claimed victory in the first-ever Hill Dickinson Merseyside derby thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s 100th-minute header, after Beto had cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s opener.
Mamardashvili was forced off for the majority of the second half after sustaining a knee wound when Beto slid in to equalise at 1-1, and with Alisson Becker currently nursing a muscle complaint, third-choice Freddie Woodman was called upon to deputise on the banks of the River Mersey. Georgia international Mamardashvili was taken to hospital with a deep cut, but in a social media post on Monday morning, the £29million stopper reassured fans that the injury was not as serious as initially feared.
“Thank God everything is fine,” he posted. “Thank you all so much for your support and for being by my side. I’ll be back soon. Big win in the derby and 3 points.”
The Athletic say Mamardashvili will miss at least a fortnight and potentially up to four weeks of football, paving the way for Woodman to retain his place when Crystal Palace make the trip to Anfield on Saturday.
Veteran first-choice goalkeeper Alisson revealed earlier this month that he is aiming to return to action before May, and Slot is set to provide an update on the fitness of both shot-stoppers when he addresses the media on Friday.
But the report adds that the Brazilian is likeliest to return against Manchester United on May 3. That means Woodman could make his first Premier League start for Liverpool against Palace.
He faced the same opponents in the Carabao Cup back in October, when the Eagles ran out 3-0 victors against a youthful Reds side.
It is an unusual scenario for Liverpool who have not handed a third-choice keeper an appearance in the Premier League since March 2021, when Adrian stepped in for the absent Alisson while No.2 Caoimhin Kelleher was unavailable due to injury.
