Simon Mignolet “absolutely not” staying as Liverpool’s No.2

Simon Mignolet says he is “absolutely not” staying at Anfield to remain as a backup goalkeeper. The 30-year-old lost his place to Loris Karius earlier in the season, a decision which he feels was an unfair one, and he confesses in an exclusive interview with Belgian newspaper HLN that he can’t sit on the bench for another season.

“I had several conversations with the trainer, but I would rather not reveal the content,” said the player. “I thought I had a reasonably good season. Apart from the mistake I made against Arsenal, I can not blame myself for anything.

“The rotating or resting, whatever it was, in and out, that is not the best way for a keeper to perform at a high level for a whole season. I had my best periods when I was allowed to stay in a lot of the matches. As a goalkeeper, you only really start finding your form after ten matches in a row. Then the relationship with the defence is optimal.

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“In football, not everything always makes sense. Sometimes such things are not so easy to understand, but in the end, you have to respect the trainer’s decisions, however difficult they are.”

Commenting on his lack of current involvement in the Champions League, he added: “It is frustrating. You have contributed to it and now they take that away from you. Still, I will celebrate as much as everyone else if we make it because I know well enough that I also have a big share in it. You first have to get into the Champions League. Getting the top four in England is not self-evident. Last year I certainly took points in the return round and in the preliminary round match against Hoffenheim, I also stopped a penalty.

“I try to help my teammates as much as possible. I stay as sharp as possible. Milner likes to train with me on his penalties and Salah sometimes asks me about another keeper. So I gave Mo some tips on Begovic for the game against Bournemouth. Those are details, but those small percentages sometimes make the difference.”

Although linked with a number of clubs in Europe there are suggestions he won’t take the first offer that comes his way as he may have to take a substantial pay cut elsewhere. He wants people to know that he’s still committed to the club but that he simply can’t sit on the bench for much longer.

He said: “I still have a contract for three seasons and I am not concerned with what is going to happen this summer. I work for the team and the World Cup. The rest is for people at the club and the brokers.”

Asked if he can do another season from the bench, he replied: “Absolutely not, this is really nothing for me. It has already taken too long. On the bench I am much more nervous than on the field. I want to contribute something.”

• Please note that Mignolet’s words have been translated and altered slightly to make sense. Because of this, there could be slight differences in what was said and what is published. However, the general gist of his comments are pretty clear to us.