Liverpool’s players will be feeling pretty good about themselves today after their impressive 2-1 win over Stoke City but perhaps none more so than Simon Mignolet.
The Belgian keeper produced two magnificent saves to first of all stop Stoke from going 2-0 up through Charlie Adam and then to stop Saido Berahino levelling things when the score was at 2-1 to Liverpool.
Both posed as examples of the shot-stopping expertise that earned him his move to Anfield in the first place and proved to be decisive in helping his team secure all three points.
It was a superb performance from a man that seemingly finds himself under constant pressure and prone to criticism. Jurgen Klopp was also quick to praise his man between the sticks for his contribution to his side’s impressive comeback.
“We needed Simon Mignolet with two outstanding saves – the second one was one of the best I’ve ever seen, Save of the Day, Month, Year. It was outstanding, well deserved for him because he has got a lot of criticism in his Liverpool career,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“It’s what you wish for. It was a big chance from Arnautovic, when he could run in behind and immediately with his pass, the fantastic sliding of [Berahino], and then this reaction, that’s what you need to be successful, your goalkeeper to make saves like this.”
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Two great saves demonstrated how many points a strong goalkeeper is capable of earning his team throughout the season. Mignolet has the potential to do just that but needs to add that consistency to his game.
It will be interesting to see what Klopp does in the summer with regards to his goalkeeping situation. A positive finish to the season from Mignolet could make the decision for him.