Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet believes his match-winning display against Stoke last season was a turning point in his career.
The 29-year-old has frequently come under fire since his move to the Merseyside club from Sunderland in 2013, having struggled for consistency as Liverpool’s No.1 goalkeeper.
But after falling down the pecking order and being on the brink of an exit last season, Mignolet bounced back to produce several match-winning performances, earning widespread praise for his efforts.
The Belgium international started Liverpool’s first six games of the season, only to be dropped to the bench following the arrival of summer signing Loris Karius.
He did not appear again in the Premier League until the win over Middlesbrough three months later, where he continued as Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice for the remainder of the season.
Mignolet finished the campaign with 11 clean sheets from 31 appearances in all competitions, and he insists the turning point in his Liverpool career was the 2-1 comeback victory over Stoke on April 8.
He told the Daily Mail: “There was a reason why Stoke was so important to me. As a goalkeeper, you don’t stand out much. It’s not the same as being a striker when you can score a goal and everyone notices what you have done.
“I needed a game to come along again and show what I could do. Everything about that came at such a great time. We were losing 1-0 and the spirit wasn’t the best.
“So this was such a changing moment, for me and for the club. I had a chance to show what I could be for this team. It’s changed my career a bit.”
Liverpool’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four were hanging in the balance with the Reds trailing Stoke 1-0 with just 20 minutes still to play.
Brazilian attacking duo Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho soon came to the rescue with a quickfire double, but it was Mignolet that drew the plaudits for Liverpool’s late triumph.
Mignolet made a number of crucial saves to deny Stoke at both extending their lead and in snatching a late equaliser, with Klopp insisting at the time that he had ‘saved’ their lives.
His fine form during the second-half of the campaign has limited speculation that Liverpool are looking to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, with the likes of Joe Hart and Jordan Pickford having been linked during the winter months.