Simon Mignolet has been urged to leave Liverpool this summer by Belgium national team goalkeeping coach Erwin Lemmens, although he also admits that the Belgian has been revitalised this season.
Mignolet has made just two appearances this season, remaining as Alisson’s understudy for the majority of the campaign after the Brazilian’s arrival last summer.
It wasn’t the first time Mignolet was deposed as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper either, with the former Sunderland man having also lost his spot to Loris Karius in January 2018.
With Karius having joined Besiktas on loan last season, Mignolet was able to claim a Champions League winners’ medal as an unused substitute, sitting on the bench for the majority of the campaign.
Mignolet is currently with the Belgium squad preparing to face Kazakhstan and Scotland in their forthcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers, and Lemmens has praised the way Mignolet approached last season. As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Lemmens said:
I have a lot of respect for Simon. He’s a real professional. Few are able to give their lives for their work. And that’s what he does.
He was able to revitalise himself with the arrival of Alisson – he is one of the top goalkeepers in the world.
Karius was no better than Simon a year ago, and it was not fair to have a less good goalkeeper than him in his place. I supported Simon a lot at the World Cup (in 2018). Being present in this great tournament did him good.
He earned his stripes in the national team. I’m sure he’ll want to keep his place for as long as possible.
Lemmens also encouraged the Belgian to leave Liverpool this summer, claiming he must find a solution to get him back playing regular football. Lemmens said:
The time has come to leave. I’m sure he’ll find a good club. He must regain the pleasure of playing.
