Simon Mignolet has revealed it is easier being Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper to summer signing Alisson rather than to German shot-stopper Loris Karius.
Alisson moved to the club from AS Roma in the summer and has become a vital member of Liverpool’s title charge.
Is Mignolet second best? Here is what you need to know…
- Mignolet joined Liverpool from Sunderland in 2013 for a transfer fee of £9m.
- The Belgian has made 204 appearances for the Reds.
- However, poor form saw him drop below Karius in the Liverpool goalkeeping pecking order last season.
- Alisson’s arrival ensured that Mignolet was no longer considered first choice at Anfield.
- He has made just two appearances this season, neither being in the Premier League or Champions League.
The Liverpool shot-stopper was talking to reporters about his situation at the club, with Alisson now cemented as Jurgen Klopp’s preferred goalkeeper.
Mignolet admitted that he accepts he is second-choice to the Brazilian but hinted that he didn’t appreciate being that to former Liverpool number one Karius, who is now on loan at Besiktas.
“Yeah, I can accept it easier now,” Mignolet told Liverpool Echo.
“It’s also the fact that the team is playing so well. Ali has been so important for the team.
“He has shown his strengths. He’s up there with the top five keepers in the world, if not the best.
“He’s a very natural goalkeeper. He’s got a lot of talent and he’s very fluent, he doesn’t really think about stuff. It’s all natural to him.
“He’s playing as the No.1 for Brazil in front of Manchester City’s goalkeeper – that says enough, really. I can accept that slightly better.”
“We have a very good relationship”
Despite his apparent dig at fellow Liverpool ‘keeper Karius, Mignolet has nothing but praise for Alisson, the man who is standing between him and a starting place at Anfield this season.
The Brazilian’s ability hasn’t gone unnoticed by Mignolet, who has revealed the positive working relationship between the pair.
“Ali and I work well together. We have a very good relationship,” Mignolet said.
“I’ve picked up a few things from him and he’s picked up a few things from me.
“I’ve been playing in the Premier League for 10 years now and certain things are different here compared to abroad. He asks me some questions and I try to answer them.
“He’s very calm on the ball and I try to replicate that. I think I showed it in the FA Cup game against Wolves. We can bounce off each other and learn off each other.
“I respect him, not just for the player he is, but also for the person he is. I can learn Spanish from him too which is another benefit!”
The post Mignolet in Karius dig: ‘Being Liverpool’s No.2 is easier to accept when it’s Alisson’ appeared first on Squawka News.
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