Simon Mignolet might just have sealed his fate, at least with the Liverpool fans, who will find it difficult to forgive his latest error against Manchester City in the Capital One Cup final.
The Belgian goalkeeper was beaten at his near post again as Fernandinho squeezed a shot underneath his body to give the Citizens a 49th-minute lead, and the Reds a mountain to climb, at Wembley.
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Mignolet already had his fair share of doubters among the Anfield faithful. We can excuse mistakes against Sunderland or Norwich City in the Premier League, but this one will be difficult to forget.
Our frustration is enhanced because Mignolet showed what he is capable of in the first half – making an outstanding fingertip stop to tip Sergio Aguero’s curling shot onto the base of the post.
But he is not consistent or reliable enough to be entrusted on such big occasions as today. An error always seems to be around the corner with him, and it has come at the worst possible time.
This gaffe might persuade Jurgen Klopp that he is not the long-term answer. We are not making Mignolet a scapegoat, but, if competition, at least, arrives because of this mistake, that is a good thing.
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