Liverpool’s Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet (L) fails to save a shot from Chelsea’s Brazilian defender Emerson Palmieri during the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 26, 2018.
Mignolet accepts second fiddle role at Liverpool
Simon Mignolet has had to learn to accept his second fiddle role at Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet (L) fails to save a shot from Chelsea’s Brazilian defender Emerson Palmieri during the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 26, 2018.
Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet says that he has had to learn to accept his role as back up to Liverpool’s first choice keeper Alisson Becker.
Since the record swoop for Allison, Mignolet has been consigned to the bench and Loris Karius was loaned out to Besiktas. Barring the occasional blip Alisson has been a big part of Liverpool’s improved defensive record and Mignolet has not played in the Premier League this season.
Mignolet will play on Monday in the FA Cup third round tie against Wolves and hopes to show his quality to Jurgen Klopp.
“Of course it isn’t easy,” Mignolet told Liverpoolfc.com. “I’ve spoken about it before – it’s not something that you want to be doing, but the team is doing so well and you just try to help the team as best as you can.
“I’m behind Alisson who is a really good goalkeeper – probably within the best five goalkeepers in the world, if not the best – and you can accept and understand it.
“We try to work hard and we get along really well as well, the both of us. I can learn from him, he can learn from me and we just try to work as hard as we can.
“Not only between the goalkeepers, but I also know that I have to be ready for if anything happens or the team needs me, and therefore I have to be working hard on daily basis for when the chance comes along or I get called upon.
“It’s not easy, mentally especially, but I try to keep the focus as best as I can. That’s the only thing I can do really.”
Mignolet has been left in awe of the Brazilian’s talent, describing him as a naturally gifted keeper.
“I think he’s just a naturally good goalkeeper,” Mignolet added. “He’s got the talent and everything comes natural to him, which makes him a really special goalkeeper.
“He doesn’t have to really think about anything and switch off, it’s always coming fluently and that makes it very easy for him to play in goal.
“He’s number one for Brazil in front of the keeper for Manchester City, so that says itself a lot already. He’s doing really well for the team and I can only learn from him.”
Liverpool host Wolves in the final match of the FA Cup 3rd Round on Monday night with kick off at 21:45 (SAST).
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