Brendan Rodgers backs Simon Mignolet to bounce back from poor form after heart-to-heart

The Kop boss has spoken to the Belgian stopper, and is sure that he can come through the other side of his troubles
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It's good to talk: Rodgers and Mignolet have discussed the keeper's poor form

Under fire keeper Simon Mignolet is strong enough to come through his current torment, according the boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Liverpool manager revealed yesterday has had a heart to heart with his number one, and insists his state of mind is fine to face the physical challenge of Stoke at the weekend, despite a high profile blunder against Ludogorets in midweek, thatvisibly affected his confidence.

“Migonolet is fine. I had a good chat with him. We paid a lot of money for him to come in, and he has saved us in a lot of games over my time,” Rodgers explained.

“His performance has been like the rest of the team, he has struggled at times. It can affect confidence, but it is part of the sport, part of the game and all you can do is focus on being the best you can be in the next game.”

Michael Steele

 

Rodgers reckons Mignolet simply has to show the mental toughness demanded of all players at this level – and he insisted he wouldn't be at Liverpool unless he had that.

“The focus on you is magnified at one of the great clubs in the world and you have to accept it as part of the job. If not, then you don't come to a club like this,” he added.

“You have to embrace it - if you are going to be at this level of football then you have to cope with it. Sometimes it won't always go your way and you have to fight even harder then to ensure you come back.”

The manager also suggested the rest of the team have to rally round to ensure everyone takes responsibility during the current slump.

Propaganda

 

“It's just a collective – it is a team game. When you are scoring goals it has an impact for midfielders and defenders. For us it's about collective responsibility, not just about one player.

“An unfortunate aspect of being a goalkeeper is the focus is on your mistakes, it's what you get when you choose to do that. But he's a strong enough character to get through that. Like the team his confidence will come back as the season progresses.”

Liverpool will still be without Mario Balotelli for the visit of Stoke.