Liverpool news: Simon Mignolet not content with second-choice goalkeeper status at Anfield
The Belgium international played in Tuesday's EFL Cup win over Tottenham, his first appearance in almost six weeks
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Your support makes all the difference.Simon Mignolet has insisted he will not accept life as second-choice goalkeeper at Liverpool.
The Belgium international made his first appearance in almost six weeks when facing Tottenham in Tuesday’s EFL Cup fourth round victory at Anfield.
But with manager Jürgen Klopp recruiting German ‘keeper Loris Karius from Mainz this summer, Mignolet is expected to return to the bench for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace.
The 28-year-old has fallen out of favour under Klopp following a series of unconvincing performances last season.
But the former Sunderland number one claims he will fight for the goalkeeper’s jersey with Karius and attempt to prove Klopp wrong.
“I don't want to be a number two, that's clear,” Mignolet said. “I want to play.
“I will never give up fighting, firstly because that's not in my character, to just give up, but secondly because I am not in a situation where I can sit on the bench.
“I'm 28 years old and I want to play week in week out, so I'll work hard and I'll never give up - giving up is not what I want to do.
“I see it as a challenge that I can overcome, so hopefully it will be a fair challenge based on performances put in on the pitch.”
Despite Klopp making it clear that he regards Karius as his first-choice keeper, Mignolet believes he retains the ability to change the manager’s mind.
“I can only do my job to the best of my ability, to do the best I can,” he said. “Hopefully I can get my chance again to show what I can do.
“That's the only thing I can do, then in the end you can't complain that you have, how you say, let yourself down.
“Because that's the only thing I don't want to do. I want to keep my head up and be professional.”
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