Jurgen Klopp gave few clues about team selection during today’s Melwood press-conference ahead of tomorrow night’s EFL Cup clash with Chelsea.
He did though give away one name; telling supporters that Simon Mignolet will start his first game since January between the sticks.
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Surprisingly, the German waxed lyrical about the Belgian’s attitude, despite the fact Mignolet previously complained about not being allowed to leave the club.
“He’s been brilliant,” Klopp told Neil Jones of Goal.
“He would have been ready to go to another club to be the No.1 but we couldn’t do it. Since then he’s brilliant, he trains very well, deserves that game tomorrow. I’m happy to give him that opportunity.”
Fair play to Mignolet. His professionalism has actually never been in question and the fact he’s been a credit to himself on the training ground, despite being very much Alisson’s backup option, is great.
To us though, we’re not sure the Brazilian needs to come out of the side. He changes the way we play because of his ability to distribute the football quickly and smartly. It’s not like goalkeepers get fatigued, so we’re just weakening the starting XI for the purpose of keeping a backup stopper happy.
The EFL Cup is one of our four chances of silverware this term, but it seems we’ll only take it seriously come the semi-finals.
Hopefully the likes of Fabinho and Naby Keita will both start tomorrow.