Klopp clarifies the doubts hanging over Mignolet’s Liverpool future

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Despite his future being shrouded in some doubt, Jürgen Klopp remains quietly confident that Simon Mignolet will stay at Anfield for the coming season, despite not seeing a single minute of Premier League football in the 2018/19 campaign.

Talking to reporters in his post-match interview (with comments published via Goal), Klopp told reporters that, “Yes. [From what] I’ve heard [he will stay]. [We’ve had] a lot of conversations in the last couple of years, months.

“Before we left [for summer] we had a talk, I would say yes [he will stay].

“At a club like Liverpool you need two ‘No. 1s’, at least, at the club. And we have that, it’s cool, with Ally and Simon.

“That’s a very good situation for the club, a situation I think you should have, and that’s why everything is fine from my point of view.”

In line with this, injury to the Reds’ two young ‘keepers saw Mignolet play the full 90 minutes in the Bradford pre-season friendly, after the veteran stopper got 45 minutes against Tranmere Rovers.

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However, the 31-year-old Belgian has struggled for first-team minutes between the sticks, making just two appearances in 2018/19.

Alisson’s golden-gloved, £65 million arrival has kept Mignolet demoted to No. 2 – a status he has held since Loris Karius managed to oust him the season before.

With Karius continuing his loan at Besiktas, and previous outside contender Danny Ward having made a £12.5 million move to Leicester last summer, Mignolet remains Klopp’s only real option as back-up.

While it seemed increasingly likely that Liverpool would permit Mignolet a transfer away from the club after his exceptional, professional attitude around the club, Klopp’s commments hint at the beneficial possibility of the Belgian staying put.

With over 200 appearances for the Reds, Mignolet could yet find opportunities in cup competitions as Klopp’s side contest the FA Cup, the League Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the Club World Cup this season.

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