According to reports from Sky Sports, manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted he’s not looking to sign another goalkeeper – effectively ruling Liverpool out of the race to sign Stoke City No.1 Jack Butland.
Belgium international Simon Mignolet has certainly divided opinion on Merseyside since joining the Anfield ranks summer 2013.
Although the 27-year-old has never lost his status as the Reds’ No.1, missing just two Premier League fixtures since his £9million arrival from Sunderland, a knack for individual errors has lead to many pundits – such as former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar – call for a more convincing replacement.
Last week, Stoke City’s Jack Butland was mooted as a potential candidate by the tabloids, having enjoyed a fantastic start to the season since replacing Asmir Begovic between the sticks at the Britannia Stadium. He’s made the third-most saves of any Premier League goalkeeper this season, an impressive 44, and kept five clean sheets in 14 starts.
Everton and Manchester United are also courting the England international, who represented Team GB at the London Olympics and made his Three Lions debut just a matter of months later – then just 19 years of age.
He’s emerging as a real competitor for Joe Hart’s No.1 jersey and has been tipped to replace United No.1 David De Gea, should Real Madrid revive their interest in the Spain international next summer as widely expected.
But Jurgen Klopp’s latest comments suggest Liverpool won’t be launching a bid for the £20million-rated goalkeeping prodigy anytime soon.
During his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Capital One Cup clash with Southampton this evening, the German said; “I am absolutely satisfied with the goalkeeping situation. Sorry to kill your stories. We’re not looking for a goalkeeper. Simon Mignolet – I have had a lot of goalkeepers in the last few years and he is one of the smartest I’ve ever had.
He is completely open. He’s young enough to develop, to improve. He had not the most easy situation before I came here but since I am here there is nothing to criticise, absolutely nothing. He is a good football player. Everything is okay. Everyone is watching for a second Manuel Neuer or things like this, but he is on a really good way. The goalkeeper situation until now is a comfortable one and I hope it stays like this.”