Liverpool boss wants everyone to acknowledge backup’s contribution

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It’s no secret that Liverpool have one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League in Alisson, but there’s been some love for Simon Mignolet this season too.

Following James Milner waxing lyrical about the Belgian international, Jurgen Klopp has weighed in on the subject. “I like really that Milly picked Simon. I’m sure he thinks of himself as a number one but he’s the best number two in the Premier League,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

He has improved in the last year because of his professionalism and his attitude. It’s just brilliant. I’m not in the dressing room constantly but when Milly says something it is 100% true. I’m happy having this quality.”

It’s unclear if the 31-year-old is in the manager’s long-term plans but the German clearly doesn’t take his man for granted.

Milner recently spoke out about Mignolet’s attitude off the field and his impact on the squad. “[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.”

Fair play to the man – Simon is usually the first one up when the ball hits the back of the net at Anfield and quick to congratulate his teammates on social media every week.

It’s boss to see all the admiration for our back-up stopper. It’d have been easy for him to jump ship in the summer, along with Loris Karius, in search of pastures new, but he stuck around

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