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Klopp admits Mignolet isn't happy being No 2 at Anfield.
simon says

Klopp understands Mignolet frustration, but won't let him leave Liverpool

The Belgium international goalkeeper has aired his disappointment at missing out on a summer move, but his manager expects him to remain professional.

JURGEN KLOPP UNDERSTANDS the frustration of Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, but he will not be sanctioning a move elsewhere.

The Belgium international has publicly aired his disappointment at having missed out on a summer switch away from Anfield.

Mignolet has seen Loris Karius moved on to Besiktas on a two-year loan, but he remains on Merseyside stuck behind £65 million ($84m) signing Alisson in the pecking order.

Klopp appreciates that the 30-year-old has a desire to take in regular first-team football, but the German is confident his back-up keeper will remain professional after being forced to stay put.

He told reporters as transfer windows across Europe prepare to close: “He will not leave today.

“In general, discussing your individual problems in public actually doesn’t make too much sense. It’s better that you speak to each other, I’m a big believer in that.

“But it was still okay. Of course, it’s actually the one time, and we are all human beings and I’m happy with that.

“If he was happy to be a number two then I wouldn’t really know him. He is a top professional, a top goalkeeper and, of course, he is not happy to be number two.

“At the end, there are worse things in the world than being number two, pretty good pay by the way at Liverpool.

“In the first moment you understand decisions or not, it’s always better to talk to me about that directly than newspapers.

“In this case, I was told at one point, usually I wouldn’t even be aware of it. It makes not too much sense. If you want to tell me something, then tell me directly.”

Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League - Anfield Jurgen Klopp embraces Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton prior to the Premier League match at Anfield last weekend. Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

As Mignolet cuts a frustrated figure in the stands, Alisson has starred for Liverpool across his early appearances for the club.

The Brazil international is yet to concede a Premier League goal, with Klopp delighted with the impact being made by the 25-year-old – even if it is being overplayed somewhat.

He added: “Good goalkeeper, eh?

“So far we defended well. It’s not that we had 20 shots on target. Hopefully it stays like this!

“You need a goalkeeper who is spot on and constantly on the highest concentration level. In specific moments, he needs to be there; so far, so good, nothing to moan about!

“We know for us as a club, as a team, individual players, there will be difficult moments during the season. It’s our job to push them as far away as possible and be ready for different challenges as a team.

“A goalkeeper alone on the pitch could never make enough saves to win the game, he needs all the guys around.”

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