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Liverpool supporters made their feelings clear during the Premier League clash with Crystal Palace where the Anfield side won 3-1, directing a tongue-in-cheek chant towards goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
During an inspired first-half display, the Reds shot-stopper found himself on the receiving end of praise from the Kop, who repeatedly chanted “England’s No 1” in recognition of his standout performance.
The chant quickly became one of the talking points of the match, a testament to both Woodman’s impressive saves and Liverpool fans’ trademark sense of humour.
It came as the goalkeeper produced a string of key interventions to frustrate the away side in the opening stages.
Woodman shines as Liverpool secure win over Palace
In what was his first-ever Premier League start for Liverpool, Woodman’s performance in the first half drew widespread attention, with the goalkeeper pulling off several important saves to keep Liverpool’s slender lead intact.
Woodman had an inspired performance against Crystal Palace, a team he played for at academy level before joining Newcastle United, where his father Andy was goalkeeping coach at the time.
The Croydon born goalkeeper then went on a series of loans before joining Preston North End permanently in 2022. In 2025, he joined Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract with Preston, serving as cover for Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili, who were both injured against Palace.
The chant from the Kop was as much an acknowledgement of his form as it was a playful jab, given England’s established goalkeeping hierarchy.
Jordan Pickford is England's current senior men's number one, supported by Dean Henderson, Aaron Ramsdale, and James Trafford. These goalkeepers are frequently called up for international fixtures, with Pickford holding the record for the highest save percentage among recent keepers.
Kop humour highlights matchday atmosphere
The “England’s No 1” chant is a classic example of how Liverpool supporters use humour to respond to moments during a game.
Rather than frustration, the Kop often turns standout opposition performances into ironic applause, creating a unique atmosphere inside Anfield.
In this case, Woodman’s resilience only encouraged more vocal recognition, as fans leaned into the moment. It underlined how players can quickly be appreciated when they rise to the occasion at Anfield.
FGG Says
This is peak football culture. A goalkeeper playing out of his skin at Anfield is always going to get noticed, and Liverpool fans turning that into a chant is part of what makes the stadium so iconic.
For Woodman, it is a huge compliment. If the Kop are singing about you, you have had a very good game