MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, September 9, 2017: Liverpool's goalkeeper Simon Mignolet looks dejected as his side lose 5-0 during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Simon Mignolet reveals plans for Liverpool talks ahead of likely summer exit

Simon Mignolet expects to sit down with Jurgen Klopp to discuss his future at Liverpool after his involvement at the World Cup with Belgium.

The 30-year-old was replaced by Loris Karius on the turn of the year, and made just two appearances in the second half of the season, including one in the FA Cup.

His peripheral role has continued on the international stage, where he is serving as backup to Thibaut Courtois, failing to start any of Belgium’s games in Group G.

Having joined Liverpool after six seasons as a regular with Sint-Truiden and Sunderland, this lack of game time comes at a difficult stage for Mignolet.

Widely expected to leave the Reds this summer as Klopp mulls over whether Karius, Danny Ward or a new signing will be next season’s No. 1, Mignolet has outlined his intentions.

“I am going to look at my situation when I come back from the World Cup,” he told reporters.

“At this moment I have not been speaking to anyone at Liverpool because I have been trying to focus on Belgium.

“John Achterberg sends me a text before every game, to see how I am and if I am fit, so I keep in touch with him.

“But I didn’t play in the last few months at Liverpool, so after the World Cup I will look at everything. I can’t say much more.

“I don’t know how long I will have off after the tournament. I need to speak to the manager about that.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, January 5, 2018: Liverpool's unused goalkeeper Simon Mignolet before the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC, the 230th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Given Mignolet hasn’t played a full 90 minutes in a competitive game since January 27, it remains to be seen whether he takes the customary three-week break offered to internationals.

But with his future up in the air he may opt to return early in order to either express a desire to leave or, in a less likely scenario, challenge Karius to reclaim the gloves.

With both Karius and Ward reporting for pre-season training at Melwood on Monday, Klopp’s other options have a head-start on Mignolet.

And with Roma’s Alisson in Liverpool’s sights, despite a slim likelihood of any deal being agreed, the best course of action should be for the stopper to seek a move.

Borussia Dortmund and Napoli have both been mentioned as possible suitors, though the former have since signed Marwin Hitz from Augsburg.

Belgium are next in action against Japan in their last-16 clash on July 2, and are favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments