Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp backs goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and rules out move for Stoke City's Jack Butland
The Belgian 'keeper is 'one of the smartest' that the former Borussia Dortmund coach has ever had
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dismissed rumours that he is in the market for a new goalkeeper and unequivocally backed current first-choice Simon Mignolet.
Stoke City stopper Jack Butland, who has come to the fore this season at the Britannia Stadium, has been linked with a move to Anfield recently, as have a number of ‘keepers from Klopp’s native Bundesliga.
The 48-year-old coach, however, used his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash against Southampton to rule out a change between the posts and claimed that the Belgian is one of the most intelligent ‘keepers he has ever managed.
"It is a good moment to talk about the goalkeepers at Liverpool. I am absolutely satisfied with our goalkeeping situation,” he insisted.
“I am sorry to kill your stories about German goalkeepers and goalkeepers from Stoke.”
“We are not looking for another goalkeeper. We have enough high quality goalkeepers, I’ve had a lot of goalkeepers over last few years and Simon Mignolet is one of the smartest I have ever had."
Mignolet has come under frequent criticism during his two-and-a-half year spell at Anfield but Klopp, who is known to prefer developing players rather than immediately seeking replacements, believes that the former Sunderland player can improve.
“He is completely open and he’s young enough to develop, to improve.
“He’s not had the easiest situation before I came here, but since I have been here there has been nothing to criticise, absolutely nothing. He’s a good football player.
“Everyone is watching for a second Manuel Neuer or something, but he is in a really good way. We just have to learn as a team to give the ball to the keeper in the right situation. Our goalkeeping situation is a comfortable one and I hope it stays like this.”
Despite his backing of the Belgian international, Klopp is set to start second-choice Adam Bogdan in tomorrow’s quarter-final.
The Hungarian has played in each round of Liverpool’s Capital One Cup campaign, particularly impressing in the third round penalty shoot-out victory over Carlisle United.
Klopp also spoke about Steven Gerrard’s return to Melwood, claiming that the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder will provide his old colleagues with a boost.
The 35-year-old midfielder was back in familiar surroundings on Monday as he joined his former team-mates at training to maintain his fitness during the post-season break for Major League Soccer.
Klopp has already stressed that Gerrard will not be adding to the 500-plus appearances he has made for his hometown club over the next few weeks, yet he believes his influence will still be felt during his time back on Merseyside.
Asked about Gerrard's arrival at training on Monday, the German joked: "He won't play (against Southampton)! But he was in good shape.
"I said to the team before training, when he was with us in the dressing room, it's completely normal. It should always be like this.
"If you are a player like Steven Gerrard in Liverpool then the doors have to be open always - that's how it is at the moment. It's an important sign for all players.
"If you behave like him in the club, if you always give everything you have, then it's easy to come back and that's how it is at the moment. It's a good situation.
"He was a very important player and at this moment he is a very important player because he is in training.
"Everybody had a smile on their faces when they saw Stevie. It's good to have him here. We hope we can help him and he can help us for sure only with being in the dressing room - it's good."
Additional reporting from PA
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