Sometimes football writes stories that even the most creative scriptwriter would dismiss as too perfect. Freddie Woodman's Premier League debut for Liverpool couldn't have been scripted better if he'd penned it himself.

The 29-year-old third-choice keeper got his moment in the sun during Sunday's historic Merseyside derby at Everton's new stadium, replacing the injured Giorgi Mamardashvili in the 58th minute. What made it even sweeter? Just 24 hours earlier, his dad Andy had guided Bromley into League One for the first time in their history.

Woodman's decision to join Liverpool as third choice when his Preston contract expired last summer suddenly looked inspired. Most keepers of his age and experience would have sought guaranteed first-team football elsewhere. Instead, he backed himself to seize any opportunity that came his way at Anfield.

That patience paid dividends as he played his part in what Arne Slot described as one of the season's "big moments". Van Dijk's 100th-minute winner didn't just secure bragging rights over our neighbours, it moved Liverpool closer to Champions League qualification and gave Woodman a Premier League debut he'll treasure forever.

The keeper stepped into the cauldron of a Merseyside derby and helped Liverpool do what they do best: torment Everton when it matters most. For a player who's spent years grafting in the lower leagues, there couldn't have been a more perfect stage for his top-flight bow.

With Mamardashvili's injury creating uncertainty, Woodman might just find himself thrust into even bigger moments before this remarkable season reaches its conclusion.