Liverpool understudy won’t be leaving in January – despite heavy interest

Posted by

Simon Mignolet looks likely to stay at Liverpool beyond the winter amid wide-spread interest in his services.

The Belgian shot-stopper has managed just one appearance for the Reds so far this season having been resigned to a role as backup to summer signing Alisson.

His sole outing arrived in September’s 2-1 League Cup defeat to Chelsea, following on from a frustrating 2017/2018 campaign in which he featured just 22 times across all competitions.

Mignolet had looked set to depart in the summer until Loris Karius seemingly re-wrote his immediate future with a tumultuous Champions League final followed by a nervy pre-season.

The German subsequently joined Besiktas on a two-year loan deal to leave Mignolet as Jurgen Klopp’s only senior alternative between the sticks.

Liverpool are now intent on retaining his services until the end of the season and unlikely to consider any offers in January, reports the Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce.

Simon Mignolet – image by Liverpoolfc.com

SEE MORE:
Liverpool & Barcelona agreed extraordinary transfer ban after Philippe Coutinho sale

Mignolet has most recently attracted interest from French side Nice, although their desire to sign him upon the turn of the year appears to be ill-guided. He was also strongly linked to Serie A side Napoli at the end of last season before Liverpool decided against letting him leave.

The 30-year-old has predominantly handled his lack of playing time well over the past 12 months, serving as valuable support behind-the-scenes and maintaining an admirable determination to win back his place.

His frustration did, however, begin to show in the summer when he appeared to question the club’s decision to sell Karius rather than himself. This was coincided by his agent expressing the need for the former Sunderland man to consider his options away from Merseyside in light of Alisson’s £67million arrival.

It makes perfect sense for Liverpool to keep hold of him in preparation for any potential injuries to their undisputed no.1.

His stay would also grant impressive youngsters Kamil Grabara and Caoimhin Kelleher more time to continue their development perhaps in view of a promotion to the senior setup in the near future.

 

More Stories Liverpool Simon Mignolet