Simon Mignolet reveals what Jurgen Klopp said to him after Liverpool's win at Stoke

The Liverpool manager was delighted with Mignolet's display, but jokingly highlighted one area for improvement after the final whistle

Mark Critchley
Monday 10 April 2017 08:02 BST
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Simon Mignolet made two brilliant saves to deny Charlie Adam and Saido Berahino
Simon Mignolet made two brilliant saves to deny Charlie Adam and Saido Berahino (Getty)

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Simon Mignolet has revealed how Jürgen Klopp joked with him as a way of showing appreciation for the goalkeeper’s game-saving display in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Stoke City on Saturday.

Mignolet produced two brilliant point-blank saves to deny Charlie Adam and Saido Berahino, the second coming minutes after his side had taken the lead at the bet365 Stadium.

The 29-year-old could not help but concede corners in the process of making both saves and after the final whistle had blown on Liverpool’s victory, Klopp teased his ‘keeper despite the man-of-the-match performance.

“[Klopp] said to me: ’Don’t give corners away! Keep the ball in your hands, don’t push it away’,” Mignolet told the Liverpool Echo. “He’s always there to have a joke.

“The second save [to deny Berahino] happened so quickly and I’ve not seen it back. The thing is when a ball comes in like that you just have to try to make yourself big and throw yourself in front of the ball.


“I remember one save I made at Sunderland against Wigan which was pretty similar again at the far post but it is not important how I kept it out.”

The three points at Stoke boosted Liverpool’s hopes of qualification for next season’s Champions League, following a disappointing home draw with Bournemouth in midweek.

Mignolet went on to call for focus from his team-mates in the final stretch with everything still to play for in a tightening top-four race.

“Everyone is very happy, especially after the big disappointment against Bournemouth. Having put so much effort in, it was a great feeling to come off with three points against Stoke,” he said.

“Four points out of six in a short space of time is good but we have to keep it going. We are in a good position but it is not finished.”

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