Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Brom marked consecutive Premier League victories away from home and yet another outstanding performance from goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The Belgian was instrumental in the previous 2-1 comeback win over Stoke but will be feeling even more positive today having earned a valuable clean sheet. It has been a mixed season for Mignolet at times, just as it has been for the entire team, yet recent weeks have seen him step up his game against teams carrying the aerial presence that Jurgen Klopp’s men have so often struggled to combat.
Klopp was quick to commend his number one after the game, telling Liverpoolfc.com: “He made an important save [from Matt Phillips with 10 minutes remaining] and in the end, it doesn’t look that spectacular, but he was really present around the set-pieces.”
“I think three, four, five fists away, which was really good, I have to say. He was really lively, front-footed, all that stuff. Very important again.”
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He not only looks far more composed and confident in his own ability but he has seemingly moulded into a greater and more assured presence when it comes to dealing with set-pieces and crosses into his penalty area. Recent displays have demonstrated him taking more responsibility in terms of being the leader his team requires by taking control of situations.
The shot-stopping expertise that granted him a move to Liverpool in the first place have also been on show over the past couple of weeks and have proved vital in the team picking up a maximum of six points from two difficult away fixtures.
His rise to form has come as a reminder of just how many points a quality goalkeeper is capable of earning a team throughout the season. He could well prove key in Liverpool putting together a strong run of results as the club looks to secure Champions League football.