Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hails Simon Mignolet's attitude ahead of Chelsea chance

Mignolet will make his first appearance of the season against Chelsea, despite

Jürgen Klopp has hailed Simon Mignolet's attitude in training as Liverpool's second-choice goalkeeper prepares for his first start of the campaign against Chelsea in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Klopp confirmed on Tuesday that Mignolet will start in goal ahead of number one 'keeper Alisson for the first time this season.

Dejan Lovren, who has missed the start of the season through injury since returning from the World Cup with a hip problem, could also make his first appearance of the campaign.

Mignolet came close to leaving Anfield during the summer transfer window and, last month, voiced his frustrations at staying on as a reserve following Loris Karius' departure to Besiktas.

Klopp criticised Mignolet for voicing his frustrations publicly instead of speaking to him in private, but the Liverpool manager is now ready to give the Belgian an opportunity to play.

"The only position I will confirm today is Simon - Simon will start. All the rest, you have to wait until tomorrow. But it will be a good team, believe me," Klopp said.

"He has been brilliant. It was as you can imagine - transfer window time is one of two moments in the year when you can make decisions about going somewhere.

"Yes, Simon would have been ready to go to another club, to be the number one, wherever in the world. That was clear.

"But we couldn't do it, and since then he has been brilliant. He trains fantastic. It's all good and he deserves that game absolutely tomorrow. I'm really happy to give him that opportunity."

Klopp added that Lovren "looks ready" to return and offered an update on Virgil van Dijk, who was substituted during Saturday's 3-0 win over Southampton with a rib problem.

"He is much better," Klopp said. "It is painful, nothing else. So we will see how we deal with that.

"It's not too serious, but it's not nothing, so that needs to settle for sure. We'll see how he comes here today and will make a decision about him."