Simon Mignolet is positive Liverpool’s involvement in next month’s Premier League Asia Trophy will play a valuable role in helping the players maintain their competitive edge and stay in peak physical condition ahead of the new season.
The Hong Kong-based tournament will see the Reds compete against the likes of Crystal Palace, Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion, thereby marking the kind of familiar opposition Mignolet feels will prove to be ideal in helping his team prepare for the Premier League restart.
Pre-season tournaments are often subject to mixed views yet there is a notable interest in Liverpool’s summer approach this year with fans keen to see how new signings will fit in as well as what Jurgen Klopp has planned in terms of his starting lineup.
“We’ll be playing against Premier League teams and there is no better way to prepare for the Premier League than to play against teams that are featuring in it. That will give us a good base to start next year in a good way,” Mignolet told Premier League Productions, as quoted by Liverpoolfc.com.
“You have to adapt to the time difference, and the heat will also help to prepare us for the season.”
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Mignolet himself will be feeling far more relaxed heading into the pre-season than he perhaps expected he would be earlier on in the year with the Belgian’s impressive rise to form in the final few months of the campaign somewhat consolidating his place as Klopp’s first choice goalkeeper.
That said, the emergence of a fresh determination and drive means the former Sunderland shot-stopper will be out to continue proving his value to the team and fighting off competition from teammate Loris Karius.