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Football

17th Jan 2018

Simon Mignolet unhappy with Jurgen Klopp’s ‘unhealthy’ rotation policy

The Belgian is considering his future

Matthew Gault

The Belgian is considering his future.

Simon Mignolet has admitted that he may be forced to quit Liverpool after being informed by Jurgen Klopp that he is no longer his manager’s first-choice at Anfield.

The Belgian was dropped for Liverpool’s 4-3 victory over Manchester City on Sunday, with Loris Karius instead being preferred between the sticks. Klopp went on to confirm that Karius would remain as the number one for the time-being, a development which has clearly irked Mignolet.

“After all that has happened this season, I know where I am at and the situation has become clearer,” Mignolet told Belgian media outlet Sporza.

“Klopp told me honestly and personally in that conversation. Of course, I am absolutely not satisfied with that, but I must always respect a decision of the coach. After all that has happened this season, I know where I am and the situation has become clearer. Then we played against Everton in the FA Cup and after a longer break the game followed against Manchester City. So, I had a hunch of what would happen and that proved to be correct.

Mignolet, signed from Sunderland in 2013, says that remaining a factor in the Belgium squad for the World Cup in the summer is a factor in him considering his options.

“I always try to stay quiet and calm. In the past I did come back stronger from such situations. But I must of course also think of my own future. The only thing I can do is focus on my training and do my best. I become 30 years old and the World Cup is coming this summer. This situation cannot take too long, which is clear. I cannot lose any more time.

“Ten days ago I had a conversation with Klopp after the game against Burnley. In the Christmas period we rotated again and I found that it was not a healthy situation for a goalkeeper.”

Klopp is expected to buy a goalkeeper in the summer, with Roma’s Alisson and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak frequently mentioned as potential targets. The arrival of a big-money stopper would almost certainly prompt Mignolet’s exit.