Competition for places proved to be a recipe for success at Liverpool this season and in the goalkeeping department in particular.
Simon Mignolet can be seen to have saved his Anfield career thanks to a remarkable revival to drive the Reds to a top four finish in response to losing his starting place to Loris Karius earlier in the campaign.
The Belgian was in inspired form in the latter stages of the season, producing a number of decisive saves in the club’s crucial Champions League run in.
Despite initially seeing Karius take his place, Mignolet has assured there have never been any problems between himself and the German.
“It’s fine, I’ve never had any issues with any of the goalkeepers I have worked with. I hope that it still the same! But, no, it’s fine,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“Alex (Manninger) and John (Achterberg) have always been there too. Listen I’ve never had hatred for someone if they have taken my place. You can’t keep hatred inside yourself if you are fighting for something.”
“As a new goalkeeper, you are on your own and even now, after a solid season, the rumours are starting again with (Iker) Casillas.”
“I’m 29 now, I know what happens when you are the Liverpool goalkeeper. Whether you have good performances, s*** performances, the scrutiny is always there.”
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Mignolet will almost certainly retain his place as Liverpool’s first choice shot-stopper next season with rumours linking Liverpool to Casillas, and other goalkeepers for that matter, quickly diffusing.
Carrying his form into the 2017/2018 campaign and finding some consistency is the next and admittedly vital task for the former Sunderland man.