Kop keepers united
SIMON MIGNOLET has backed Loris Karius to bounce back after being axed by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
The German keeper paid the price for his dodgy displays in shipping six goals against Bournemouth and West Ham.
Mignolet came in to keep a clean sheet in the 3-0 romp at Middlesbrough – his first league appearance for three months.
Klopp insists he wasn’t swayed by criticism of the 23-year-old by Sky pundits Phil and Gary Neville.
And while Mignolet is relishing the chance to re-establish himself as No.1 after being dislodged by Karius, he insists his rival will overcome the blow of losing his place.
“It’s not nice for Loris, but he’s capable enough and professional enough to learn from it,” said Mignolet.
Blown
“He’s a team-mate so of course I have sympathy for him, but we both know that no one individual is bigger than the team.
“At a club as big as Liverpool, you have to be mentally strong because one mistake can be blown out of proportion. I’ve been through it and it’s not nice.
“He knows that you have to just stay focused, keep your head down and work hard. It’s not always easy, but you have to wait for your opportunity.”
Mignolet had a chance to commiserate with Karius when they joined up with Liverpool’s goalkeeping staff for yesterday’s Christmas party.
The Belgium international added: “The keepers’ union is something special. Only if you’re a keeper do you know what it’s like to be in our situation.
“Loris and I are team-mates, but we have to push each other and look out for our own performances.”
Mignolet, 28, kept his third clean sheet of the season as Liverpool climbed to second in the table. He added: “It was an important win after a couple of rough weeks.”