Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has enjoyed a massive upturn in form since the turn of the year…
Simon Mignolet has labelled his spell out of the Liverpool first-team as a ‘beneficial experience’, but admitted that it was hard to watch his teammates from the sidelines.
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The Belgian was named as a substitute for the games against Manchester United, AFC Bournemouth, Arsenal and Burnley, as Brendan Rodgers opted for number two Brad Jones between the posts – but after the Australian limped off during the first-half of our win at Turf Moor, Mignolet was handed an unexpected reprieve.
Since returning to the team, the 26-year-old has been a revelation, producing a series of outstanding individual performances that have contributed hugely to our turnaround in fortunes.
Mignolet has previously credited his fiancée Jasmien for helping him improve his game, after she warned him to stop ‘over-thinking situations’, but he’s also been eager to credit his coaches for keeping faith with him.
The keeper, who has kept eight clean sheets in his last 16 matches since his return, told Liverpool’s official website: “I look back to it only in a positive way. That’s what I did when it happened. I told myself I could do two things; let my head drop or work hard and come back stronger.
“I am happy with how I reacted in that sense. I am happy I kept my head down and worked hard in training. I didn’t speak to the outside world, I just kept doing what I can do.
“It’s something positive to look back on, it was a new experience. The older you get, the more experience you get and through these kind of situations, you only come back stronger and more positive.
“It wasn’t easy, but the manager, the coaches, everyone at the ground and the players helped me with it, so it’s big credit to them as well for giving me their support. They helped me out and made sure I could do that [get back into the team].
“I didn’t only have my fiancé at the time, but also people who work at the ground [Melwood] – they always kept believing in me. Then it was up to me to do it on the pitch and change things.
“We’re very pleased with how things have turned around, but I am not one who wants to think about that. I am looking forward and I know that I have to keep doing what I am doing and playing how I am at the moment because things will otherwise be forgotten very quickly.
“That’s how football goes – you’re only remembered for your last performance. That’s why I keep working hard in training and try to keep improving my game. Any stage of your career you can still improve and hard work will pay off in the end.”