Liverpool supporters were handed yet another new signing on Friday evening as Freddie Woodman arrived from Preston.

The Reds have been incredibly active this summer, with Woodman’s addition the fifth new arrival so far.

Although the back-up goalkeeper will not be Liverpool‘s most exciting arrival, it is one more smart piece of business from the Reds, who are in need of saving space on non-homegrown players.

Woodman will initially join as back-up to Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili, and as a result, some fans may not even bother getting to know the 28-year-old.

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However, while it may seem like a throwaway addition to those supporters, FSG‘s CEO of football Michael Edwards will not see it the same way.

As it turns out, Edwards has reportedly had his eye on Woodman for a lot longer than initially thought.

Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

During his first spell at Liverpool, Edwards forged an incredible reputation as one of the very best data-driven recruiters around.

The executive made a string of excellent signings after being named as sporting director in 2016, with his first summer in charge seeing top players like Sadio Mane, Gini Wijnaldum and Joel Matip arrive.

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It also saw a change of goalkeeper, as Loris Karius joined from Mainz.

However, as per a report from the Newcastle Chronicle in January 2016, Karius was not the only goalie on Edwards’ radar.

They claim that Liverpool were also keen on signing then Newcastle keeper Freddie ‘Fred’ Woodman.

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Liverpool were said to be keeping a close eye on the then 19-year-old having been ‘alerted to his progress’ in the Magpies’ youth team.

Woodman ultimately stayed put at Newcastle until 2022, with Edwards finally getting his man three years later.

Normally, Liverpool signing a third-choice goalkeeper who may well never see a minute of action for them would not generate many headlines.

However, it is clearly not a coincidence that Liverpool have chosen Woodman as the player to deputise for Alisson and Mamardashvili.

Edwards, and his partner in crime Richard Hughes, saw an opportunity to snare Woodman on a free transfer and moved quickly to take it.

Had Liverpool signed the former England U21 international in 2016, it would possibly have been with the idea of developing him before selling for a profit some time later.

Nine years on, the remit will possibly be the same.

At 28 Woodman can still learn plenty from Alisson in particular, and there is a chance Liverpool could profit if they choose to sell him in a year or two.

There have been more notable signs this summer, but this is just another reminder of just how good Edwards is at his job.
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