James Milner has paid credit to Simon Mignolet, Liverpool’s no.2 goalkeeper who’s barely had a sniff this season.
The Belgian has played just twice – once in the EFL Cup defeat to Chelsea and once in the FA Cup loss to Wolves.
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In both fixtures, Mignolet had a second-string defence in front of him and has since had to content himself with a spot on the bench in the Premier League and Champions League behind Alisson.
The Brazilian has enjoyed a phenomenal debut campaign and has already racked up 19 clean-sheets in the top flight – one behind Pepe Reina’s Liverpool record of 20 from a 38-game season.
According to Milner though, Mignolet has been superb in spurring Alisson on and has not once grumbled about his lack of opportunities.
In fact, our vice-captain described Mignolet as having ‘the best attitude’ he’s ever seen – some praise from somebody who’s played for a title winning team, his country and in the Premier League since 2001.
“[We have] quality players throughout, and some who aren’t even travelling sometimes,” he told the official website.
“Someone who hasn’t been spoken about much this season – Simon Mignolet.
“It’s incredible how he is around the training ground, he has the best attitude I’ve ever seen in my life.
“Every single day, he pushes himself and pushes Ali and the boys to improve. Nobody will ever speak about him in the press because he’s not on the field, but he’s been so important for us this season.
“That’s exactly what you need, great characters. Even if you’re not playing as much as you would like, the characters in the dressing room are still standing up.”
Fair play to the lad.
Mignolet will likely leave at the end of this season in search of first-team football, which is totally understandable.
And it’ll be with our complete blessing – as he’s been a credit to himself and the club ever since Alisson’s arrival.