Simon Mignolet has been urged to quit Liverpool by Belgium goalkeeping coach Erwin Lemmens, but he does admit the stopper has been galvanised this season.
“I have a lot of respect for Simon. He’s a real professional. Few are able to give their lives for their work. And that’s what he does,” he is quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.
“He was able to revitalise himself with the arrival of Alisson – he is one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Karius was no better than Simon a year ago, and it was not fair to have a less good goalkeeper than him in his place.
“I supported Simon a lot at the World Cup (in 2018). Being present in this great tournament did him good. He earned his stripes in the national team. I’m sure he’ll want to keep his place for as long as possible.
“The time has come to leave. I’m sure he’ll find a good club. He must regain the pleasure of playing.”
Mignolet has only made two appearances for the Reds this season – a number that would definitely be higher if we progressed further in the FA and League Cups.
Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker has taken over the responsibility of keeping the ball out of the net at Anfield, and the Belgian has had barely a sniff of a chance.
Mignolet hasn’t really been a starter for Liverpool in two season now – he was kept out of the first team by Loris Karius during the 2017/18 campaign in which the Reds reached the Champions League final.
Perhaps it’s best if the stopper does move on this summer; he’s 31 now and, while that’s not old for a goalkeeper, he’s entering his last stretch as a top-flight footballer.